Everett Lawyer Accused of Violating Campaign Finance Rules

SEATTLE (AP) — The Washington Attorney General's Office has charged an Everett lawyer with campaign finance violations, saying that from 2012 to 2015 he concealed the source of at least $16,000 in political contributions.

Attorney Jared Karstetter formerly represented the King County Corrections Guild and the King County Court Protection Guild. A complaint filed in Thurston County Superior Court on Monday says he made contributions to political candidates — including King County Councilmembers Rod Dembowski and Pete von Reichbauer — using money from the unions, without disclosing where the money came from.

Public disclosure records show that Karstetter also donated $1,750 to Attorney General Bob Ferguson from 2013 to 2015. The complaint filed by the Attorney General's Office doesn't reference those contributions, though it does reference $250 given to Steve Strachan's failed bid for King County sheriff in 2012.

Ferguson told The Associated Press on Tuesday he had no idea that Karstetter wasn't the source of the contributions and that his campaign will refund them.

Karstetter did not immediately return a message seeking comment Tuesday. A lawyer who has represented him said he could not comment.