Hankins Fined Record Amount

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By Mike Crispino

Summary

State Rep. Shirley Hankins, R-Richland, has been fined $4,174.62 by the Legislative Ethics Board, more than twice the largest amount previously imposed by the panel since it was established in 1995.

Story Published: Dec 5, 2007 at 9:30 PM PST

State Rep. Shirley Hankins, R-Richland, has been fined $4,174.62 by the Legislative Ethics Board, more than twice the largest amount previously imposed by the panel since it was established in 1995.


Hankins, 76, who is in her 12th two-year term in the House, was
accused of using her position to help direct business to Northwest
Tire Recycling, a tire baling company her two daughters started
with their husbands in 2000.


"The facts support a finding that respondent was unable to differentiate her role as a mother from her role as a legislator during most meetings she had with government officials and staff on these issues," the ethics panel concluded.


The ethics complaint was filed by Alan Joseph of Richland in
February after he read a newspaper article on a speech in which
former Richland Mayor Rob Welch told the City Council that Hankins
and her legislative seatmate, Larry Haler, bullied local officials
to promote the tire recycler and help it get a business license.


The ethics board cleared Haler of wrongdoing in September but found that Hankins violated the Ethics in Public Service Act by misusing her legislative position in four ways:

- Representing the company's interests during the Richland
permit application and licensing process.
- Promoting the company as a supplier of baled tires for a
proposed highway sound barrier.
- Organizing and participating in events featuring the company
and promoting its interests.
- Attempting to intimidate Ecology Department personnel
"through persistent and threatening actions reasonably perceived
as supportive of the business interests of NWT."


The panel found there was no violation in a number of other
contested activities, in one case finding there was no evidence
that Hankins used her office to help the company land the one state
contract it was awarded, a pilot project in Goldendale that was
specified in legislation she had supported.


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The following is a statement from State Representative Shirley Hankins.


"I appreciate the Legislative Ethics Board conducting a thorough examination of the charges in this case. My office spent many hours and made every effort to be forthright and open with the board’s request for information. I had hoped that in the interest of citizens I represent, this matter could have been settled sooner. However, it is understandable that given the complexities of the issue, the board has taken time in an attempt to separate facts from hearsay and rumor.

While my greatest respect is for the institution of the Legislature, I am extremely disappointed with certain findings of the Legislative Ethics Board. It was never my intent to promote one company over another, but to ensure that the Department of Ecology carried out the job the Legislature asked the agency to do. . . and that was to dispose of tire piles that constitute a serious environmental threat to the health and safety of our citizens.

In every day of my 23 years of service as your elected state legislator, and in every decision I have made, I have earnestly tried to put the interests of the 8th Legislative District and the state of Washington above all else. My intentions have always been toward the greater good of the district. I deeply and humbly apologize to my constituents for any actions that have fallen short of these intentions.

While I do not personally agree with findings of violation against the Ethics Act, I believe it is in the best interest of the 8th District to expeditiously settle this matter and to move forward. Therefore, I have decided not to contest the matter, but instead, bring it to a close. I will respectfully accept and abide by penalties stipulated by the board. "