LT GOV FACING ETHICS HEARING FOR ALLEGED CAMPAIGN ACTIVITY

OLYMPIA (AP) -- The state board that enforces ethics rules says it has
"reasonable cause" to contend Lt. Gov. Brad Owen improperly used his office
to fight a 1997 proposal to legalize medicinal uses of marijuana.

The Democrat, who for years has been an outspoken opponent of legalized
marijuana, on Tuesday strongly denied any wrongdoing.

"If you go by what the so-called Ethics Board interpreted, they have
stifled my ability to have an opinion and respond to public policy issues,"
said Owen, a former state senator from Shelton.

At Owen's request, the state Executive Ethics Board will hold a hearing
later this year to decide whether to confirm its findings, which it made in
February. The hearing is expected to be held this fall, said Meg Grimaldi,
an ethics board staffer.

The board contended Owen illegally distributed letters, press releases and
other documents against Initiative 685, and used public employees,
equipment and federal grant money to fight the measure.

State law allows public officials to respond to individual inquiries about
their stand on issues. Owen did so on the initiative.

"But then he sent his replies to all the legislators," Grimaldi said.

"We believe (the replies) may be beyond the normal and regular conduct of
his office," the board said in its finding.

Each of four alleged violations could result in a fine of between $500 and
$5,000.

Initiative 685 was defeated in November.

Bellevue attorney and I-685 backer Jeff Haley filed one of two complaints
against Owen. The other was filed by the board. When public officials use
their offices to wage campaigns, it puts their foes at a disadvantage,
Haley said.

Copyright 1997 Associated Press.

Checked-by: Mike Gogulski