State Auditor Fights Charges Back To Work

SEATTLE (AP) — Indicted Washington state Auditor Troy Kelley has returned to work after several months on leave while he fights criminal charges that include tax evasion, money laundering and possession of stolen property.

Kelley informed his office in a letter Tuesday that he had returned to work. He said he previously took a leave of absence at the request of lawmakers, and some of those same lawmakers are calling for his impeachment based in part on the fact that he hasn't been working.

Kelley was indicted last spring in connection with a real-estate services business that he used to run. Federal prosecutors say he kept $3 million in fees that he was supposed to refund to thousands of homeowners.

A spokeswoman for Gov. Jay Inslee called Kelley's decision to return to work troubling.