Snohomish County exec’s aide fined for campaign violations

OLYMPIA, Wash. – An aide to former Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon has been fined for violating state laws during Reardon’s 2011 re-election campaign.

The Daily Herald reported that the state Public Disclosure Commission on Thursday fined Kevin Hulten $2,500 for improperly using public resources to help his then-boss win re-election.

At the hearing Thursday, Hulten acknowledged that he made phone calls and documents that prompted the investigation into whether county resources were used to perform election work. He said his conduct was entirely lawful.

Hulten’s fine comes two months after the commissioners imposed a $4,200 penalty against Reardon for conducting campaign-related business in the executive’s office and on his county-issued cellphone. Reardon paid the fine June 10.