Shea cleared in Malheur ethics probe

OLYMPIA – A Spokane Valley legislator who traveled to protests against federal land policies in Oregon and Nevada didn’t violate any ethics rules, a state board ruled Tuesday. The Legislative Ethics Board dismissed a series of complaints against Republican Rep. Matt Shea involving a trip to Oregon early this year during the occupation of a federal wildlife refuge by Ammon Bundy and others, and another to Nevada in 2014 during a standoff between Cliven Bundy and the Bureau of Land Management.

The complaint was filed by Theresa Ottosen of Fairfield , who contended Shea used his position as a legislator to “interfere and hobknob ”CQ with known felons “to support armed militia conducting an armed standoff with federal officers.” Shea told the board he made both trips for “fact-finding” and to mediate if needed/ Jim Camden , Spin Control. More here.