Troopers a disgrace

Last year when it was learned 10 Washington State Patrol troopers falsely completed written applications and submitted phony diplomas to the state as legitimate representations of their education levels, their intent was to receive substantial pay benefits, which would have illegally added thousands of dollars to their incomes and retirements.

Following a federal investigation, the folks that sold these troopers their degrees were sentenced to three years in prison, yet eight troopers that purchased these fake degrees were all given three- to 10-day paid suspensions. (Two accused troopers resigned.) This is a great slap in the face to every law-abiding citizen.

Based on these troopers’ actions under both the theft and fraud statutes of the Washington state criminal law, I believe there was probable cause to charge them with both class B or class C felonies, which carry prison sentences from five to 10 years.

These men have brought great disgrace to law enforcement. They have tarnished the reputation of the State Patrol, but even more repugnant is the fact the commander in chief of the Washington State Patrol, Gov. Christine Gregoire, and the attorney general of Washington state, Rob McKenna, have both dishonorably sanctioned this conduct by not taking appropriate action.

Anthony G. Bamonte

Spokane