Charges against club owner, others dropped

SEATTLE – A King County Superior Court judge dismissed all criminal charges against strip-club owner Frank Colacurcio Jr. and three co-defendants Thursday, ruling that prosecutors had misread state campaign-finance laws.

Judge Michael Fox agreed with defense attorneys, who contend the state’s Public Disclosure Act does not allow for criminal charges, only civil penalties.

The King County prosecutor’s office plans to appeal the ruling, spokesman Dan Donohoe said.

The charges stemmed from a 2003 scandal involving campaign contributions to three Seattle City Council members. County Prosecutor Norm Maleng filed charges in July against Colacurcio Jr., his father, Frank Colacurcio Sr., and longtime associates Marsha Furfaro and Gil Conte.

Maleng accused the defendants of conspiring to reimburse friends and family for donations to then-council members Judy Nicastro, Heidi Wills and Jim Compton.