Full Shea Report Must Be Made Public in Timely Manner
The results of an inquiry into Rep. Matt Shea’s conduct has reportedly been delivered today to the Executive Committee of the Washington House of Representatives. In response, Lindsay Schubiner, program director at Western States Center, issued the following statement:
“This report has been a long time in the making. We welcome its delivery and urge the Executive Committee to make the full report public in a timely manner. We understand that certain identifying details may require redaction, but otherwise we urge full transparency.
“The investigation was opened after Shea was revealed as a participant in a long-running text conversation plotting against his political opponents. Some of the participants in the conversation openly promoted surveillance and violence, without any discouragement from Shea. In fact, he offered to run background checks on his opponents.
“Shea has repeatedly demonstrated a penchant for conspiracy and violence that is incompatible with public office. Even before the latest round of news, he had thoroughly demonstrated that he is unfit for public office.
“It is critical that legislators, and all Washingtonians, be able to read the full report for themselves. Then it will be incumbent upon Shea’s colleagues to hold him accountable.”