Yesterday a judge ruled that Tim Eyman repeatedly, knowingly, and intentionally violated the law for his own personal benefit.

The court ordered Eyman to pay a historic $2.6 million penalty — the largest campaign finance penalty ever issued against an individual in Washington state.

This is Tim Eyman’s day of reckoning. After decades of violating the law and obstructing investigations, for which he was held in contempt of court, the rule of law finally caught up to him.

Eyman’s $2.6 million penalty does not include the approximately $300,000 in contempt sanctions he has already paid, as well as my office’s costs and fees related to bringing the case, which he will also need to pay. Eyman is currently making monthly payments to the State of Washington of more than $150,000 annually until he pays off the entire penalty. In other words, he will be making payments for a long time.

Please add your name if you support increased transparency in our elections.

Eyman is a repeat campaign finance violator. The judge found that he engaged in a knowing and intentional scheme to illegally enrich himself with money donated to support initiatives. In addition to the financial penalty, the judge ruled that Eyman may no longer be involved in the financial affairs of future initiatives.

Decades ago, the people overwhelmingly adopted Washington’s Fair Campaign Practices Act by initiative. In his ruling, the judge quoted directly from this important initiative: “The people’s right to know of the financing of political campaigns and lobbying and the financial affairs of elected officials and candidates far outweighs any right that these matters remain secret and private.”

As the People’s Lawyer, I will continue to defend democracy by upholding this critical law that Washingtonians adopted to ensure free and fair elections. That’s a promise.

go.bobferguson.com/a/election-transparency

Thank you,

Bob Ferguson