(The Center Square) – A state board on Tuesday held a second day of public hearings into an ethics complaint against Washington state Rep. Tarra Simmons that could result in tens of thousands of dollars in fines for the lawmaker.
Allegations stem from Simmons’ interactions with two nonprofit organizations, the American Equity and Justice Group and the Equity in Education Coalition.
She is said to have improperly leveraged her position as a state lawmaker and a $10,000 donation to help get her boyfriend a job with the American Equity and Justice Group.
“This was Representative Simmons introducing Antoine Coleman as her romantic partner,” said AEJG Treasurer Kimberly Gordon when asked about the late January 2024 Facebook post.
Gordon said she immediately began working to schedule the next board meeting to deal with the potential conflict of interest.
“To let the board know what was happening and collectively decide what to do.”
She explained they decided not to cash the $40,000 check and to also pay back the original $10,000 check Simmons had paid the organization.
Simmons denies putting any conditions on use of the donations.
Doug McKinley, Simmons’ attorney, argued that because the legislator did not benefit directly from the donations, there was no violation of conflict of interest or special privilege statutes.
During Monday’s hearing, McKinley pressed Gordon about the decision to hire Antoine Coleman and what she knew about that.
“You don’t know if Anthony made the decision whether or not to hire Antoine,” asked McKinley.
He was referring to Anthony Powers, AEJG’s executive director and board president.
“He made the decision, but I think he had input,” responded Gordon. “He made the decision because that was the person Rep. Simmons put in front of him.”
Simmons took the witness table on Tuesday, telling board members her childhood was difficult.
“I had a really rough life and so the fact I’m even here is really….I’m the first in the nation who’s been incarcerated who became a state representative.”
Simmons maintains that there was nothing illegal or unethical about providing funding for an organization she worked with.
If Simmons is found to have breached ethics rules, she could be fined up to $5,000 per violation and ordered to pay the state’s costs.
Simmons, a Democrat who represents Kitsap County including Hansville, Kingston, Poulsbo, Bremerton and Bainbridge Island, tried to get the Legislative Ethics Board to dismiss the complaint in May, but that attempt was rejected.
She is also up for re-election this November.
She has drawn competition from Poulsbo Democrat Daria Ilgen.
Ilgen provided a statement via email about Simmons ethics scandal.
“While Kitsap voters are struggling with high costs, Representative Simmons’ priorities are justifying her alleged ethics violations. I’m proud of my Democratic values and the community-first campaign we’re building, and I’m ready to fight for the people of the 23rd Legislative District without distraction or a personal agenda,” wrote Ilgen via email.
Initially, Republican attorney Joel Ard filed to run against Simmons, as well, but later withdrew.
With just the two Democrats competing, both will advance regardless of results from the August primary.
