Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Investigation of ex-police chief’s departure to be finished by July 15, Spokane officials say

From staff reports

The city of Spokane expects to receive a report on the investigation into the departure of former police Chief Frank Straub by July 15.

The investigator hired by the city, Kris Cappel, has interviewed additional witnesses, including Spokane police Capt. Brad Arleth, Lt. Joe Walker and City Administrator Theresa Sanders, according to a city news release. Cappel also received thousands of emails from city employees involved in allegations against Straub, who maintains he was forced out of office without an investigation. A lawsuit filed by Straub was dismissed by a federal judge in Spokane earlier this week.

Cappel, of the Seabold Group, has only one more city employee to interview, the news release said. She has not interviewed any city attorneys, who have said they don’t believe they are allowed to provide testimony because of attorney-client privilege.

There has been an ongoing debate about releasing emails and documents to Cappel that may contain privileged information. Many of the documents that initially were withheld have been reviewed again and released, though some are redacted, the news release said. Cappel received some of the 7,000 emails Friday and is expected to receive more once they have been reviewed for privileged information.

“The Committee is confident that after final review only a small portion of records will be withheld as privileged and a detailed index explaining why will be prepared and released,” the news release said.

Cappel’s report is expected to be released to the public.