In brief: Officials urge indicted auditor to resign

SEATTLE – Washington legislative leaders sent a letter Wednesday to embattled state Auditor Troy Kelley calling for his immediate resignation.

Kelley has been on unpaid leave while fighting federal charges that he stole millions from clients of his former business. A newly filed indictment added money laundering and tax evasion charges. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

In the joint letter, the legislative leaders said although the charges relate to Kelley’s personal or outside professional business, they will likely undermine the public’s faith in his ability to do his job. As state auditor, Kelley is in charge of ensuring that government agencies properly spend public funds.

The lawmakers said Kelley is presumed innocent but said “it is hard to imagine that you are able to perform any services to the state while on this leave of absence, let alone fulfill the duties of such an important elected office.” They said it was reasonable for Kelley to instead focus his efforts on his federal case.

The letter was signed by House Speaker Frank Chopp, D-Seattle; Senate Majority Leader Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville; House Minority Leader Dan Kristiansen, R-Snohomish; and Senate Minority Leader Sharon Nelson, D-Maury Island.

Kelley’s lawyer, Angelo Calfo, said Kelley will not leave his post. “Federal prosecutors shouldn’t have the power to remove a public official from office simply by accusing them of a crime,” Calfo told the Associated Press in an email. “At Mr. Kelley’s trial, he will prove that the federal prosecutors’ efforts to target him – a high-profile figure – are completely misguided.”

Teacher strike continues in Kelso

KELSO, Wash. – Negotiators for teachers and the Kelso School District remain at odds over a contract agreement, leading the district to cancel classes for a seventh day Thursday. Talks are slated to resume Thursday morning.

State starts standardizing pot laws

OLYMPIA – The state on Wednesday began the process of aligning the medical marijuana market with the existing recreational market for cannabis.

The Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board’s actions are the result of new legislation which established a priority system for licensing existing medical marijuana stores.

The emergency rules allow the board to begin the process of licensing new retail outlets that may sell both medical and recreational marijuana. Existing recreational stores may also apply for an endorsement to sell both.

The board will begin accepting retail license applications on Oct. 12.

There will not be an initial cap on the number of retail licenses that will be approved by the board.

Medical marijuana outlets must be licensed by July 1 or face closure.

First priority for licenses will be given to people who applied for a marijuana retail license prior to July 1, 2014, operated (or were employed by) a collective garden prior to Jan. 1, 2013, have maintained a state and local business license and have a history of paying state taxes.

In a separate action, the board is notifying marijuana producers that the restriction of their license to grow at 70 percent of capacity has been lifted. Producers may now grow to 100 percent of capacity.

The restriction was intended to keep marijuana production within the estimated limits of the recreational market, to prevent out-of-state sales. But the opening of new stores is raising the demand for marijuana, the board said.

Psychologist charged in child sex sting

SEATTLE – A 61-year-old Seattle psychologist has been charged in connection with seeking sex with a minor after posting an ad on Craigslist earlier this month.

Justice Department officials said in a news release Wednesday that Jonathan Brent Wulf started a conversation with a Homeland Security undercover agent after posting the ad. U.S. Attorney Annette L. Hayes said Wulf expressed a desire to have sex with the agent’s fictional 12-year-old stepdaughter.

Authorities arrested Wulf on Tuesday after he arrived at a hotel chosen as the meeting place for the sexual encounter. He has been charged with attempted enticement of a minor, which carries a prison sentence ranging from 10 years to life. Wulf works as a psychologist with a Seattle medical group.

Portland seeks homeless housing solution

PORTLAND – Portland Mayor Charlie Hales is seeking emergency actions to address homelessness, saying Wednesday that the city needs to quickly address a lack of housing and create more shelters.

An emergency declaration will allow the city to waive zoning codes and convert city-owned buildings into shelters through an expedited process. It also will let the city work with Multnomah County to request that Gov. Kate Brown declare a state of emergency in Portland – a move that would waive portions of the state building code. The city also hopes to expedite the building of a permanent supportive housing site for people served by a psychiatric emergency center the city is creating.

A recent homeless count showed more than 1,800 Portlanders were sleeping unsheltered on a given night. From 2013 to 2015, that number has remained the same. But the count showed a 48 percent increase in unsheltered African-Americans. There was also an increase in unsheltered families with children and in homeless women. About 500 of the homeless on a given night are women, according to the mayor.

The city’s goal is to get all homeless veterans and women indoors by year’s end, Hales said. The shelters, he said, would be temporary and could open as soon as January.