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Contact: Douglas Tooley Independent Activist Phone 425 301 2733 Fax 253 475 5311 |
dltooley@clearwire.net |
Douglas Tooley |
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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Press Release
INDEPENDENT ACTIVIST CONTINUES
DISBARMENT AGAINST FORMER WASHINGTON STATE U.S. DISTRICT ATTORNEY JOHN McKAY
WHAT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE LEGAL PROFESSION TO THE PUBLIC?
Seattle, Washington, June 26, 2007: On the eve of US Attorney General Alberto Gonzales’ visit to Seattle activist/small businessman Douglas Tooley is releasing details of his continuing action regarding Former US Attorney John McKay. Mr. Tooley is taking advantage of the profile of this issue to bring to light underlying problems with the local practice of law. He is addressing the subject of whether McKay’s dismissal was as a result of controversy regarding alleged voter fraud at KC Elections. Mr. Tooley is not focusing on the criminal aspects, but rather the responsibility of the profession in this arena and the well documented problems with the agency in question.
“I
have gotten to know John McKay better, especially through an event hosted by
his current employer, Seattle University. The
integrity of that institution, along with his continued association with fellow
former US Attorneys at this event, and McKay’s own public statements lead me to
believe McKay has a possible future of integrity.”
“Problems with the local legal profession,
including a long history of ‘mistakes’ at King County Elections, are the result
of standard practices within the profession which ignore a responsibility to
the public. It is my hope that Mr.
McKay, a leader of that profession, can take this opportunity to help
re-establish the profession’s connection with the community, much in the same
spirit as community policing.”
“Mr. McKay is at an age where he must choose
whether to repeat the problems of his profession or move it forward. I am
optimistic that both he and Bar Disciplinary Counsel Felice Congalton will respond
to this action in a constructive, rather than obstructive, fashion.”
Mr. Tooley is not addressing the issue of Prosecutorial malfeasance issue at King County Elections, which is being watchdogged effectively by right wing blogger Stefan Sharkansky. The quality of Sharkansky’s work has been noted by the center/left blog, Crosscut. Sharkansky has also successfully completed a signature drive on a elections reform measure. Mr. Tooley is instead focusing on other areas of authority exercised by the profession, including financial, though that does not apply to this specific issue.
“The recent history of the US Attorney’s office on crucial issues of government responsibility appears deficient. Witness Clinton appointee Kate Pflaumer, the former holder of this office, and the issue of public funding associated with a HUD financed upscale parking garage. Note also Governor Gregoire, the subject of elections fraud allegations, concurred with these findings in her then capacity as State Attorney General.”
For a superb piece on this subject see Barbara Serrano’s investigative feature published in the Seattle Times.
In other related issues Mr. Tooley passes along condolences to the family of chief King County Attorney Norm Maleng, also head of the committee searching for Mr. McKay’s replacement. “I speculate whether the pressures of the search process contributed at all to Mr. Maleng’s heart attack, including specifically at the public event where he collapsed.”
The election for Mr. Maleng’s replacement is shaping up to be interesting.
Lastly, I’d like to share some relevant, recent, concerns about US Rep. Dave Reichert (R-Bellevue), the senior elected official in the US Attorney replacement process. “I’ve just finished former Seattle Police Chief Norm Stamper’s book, ‘Breaking Rank’ and am dismayed by the accounts of former King County Sherriff Reichert’s actions during the World Trade Organization demonstrations. I would interpret Stamper’s account of Reichert as being insubordinate to the community policing standards established by Chief Stamper and then Mayor Paul Schell. Mr. Reichert’s actions played a role in inflaming the conflict of the WTO and his actions criticizing Stamper are hypocritical. A Community Policing attitude towards any demonstration is not only appropriate, it should be viewed as required, as per the US Constitution. Mr. Reichert’s attitude toward the law and the Public is simply not appropriate for a public servant, and is itself an assault upon our society.”
Mr. Tooley wishes to re-affirm his dedication to advancing the future of America and its dedication to its goals. Mr. Tooley has already paid a great personal cost in these endeavors and is continuing to sacrifice, regardless of the allegations made against him past or future. His future actions will include personal claims against local government bodies for related past problems of malfeasance in service to the public.