Ethics commission unanimously clears Verner

The Spokane Ethics Commission on Thursday voted to clear City Councilwoman Mary Verner of any ethics violations related to a vote she cast in April to shift a contract for archaeological services from Eastern Washington University to a Montana company.

Pete Thompson, a local real estate broker, made the complaint, arguing that Verner’s employment should have made her ineligible for the vote because the contract change was pushed by the Spokane Tribe of Indians.

Verner works for Upper Columbia United Tribes, an organization run by a board with one representative each from five different tribes, including the Spokanes.

But the commission voted 5-0 that Verner didn’t violate any ethics rules. Among reasons cited for their decision, members said Verner didn’t have any financial interest in the deal, especially since the vote was to award the contract to a firm unrelated to the tribe.

After the issue was brought to the ethics commission, Verner, who is running for mayor, argued the complaint was politically motivated but agreed that she should have described her employment during the meeting.

The issue is the first complaint to be handled by the ethics commission. For more information about a complaint filed with the committee about Councilman Brad Stark, go to spokesmanreview.com/blogs/pendulum.