The Monroe Monitor & Valley News, Monroe, Washington, The Voice of the Sky Valley Since 1899

Former Sultan chief charged — Fred Walser charged in connection with Pepperell case

by POLLY KEARY, STAFF WRITER

Former Sultan Police Chief Fred Walser will continue to seek a state senate seat after prosecutors Thursday filed charges against him of lying to protect an employee while still in office. “We’re moving ahead full steam,” he said.

Thursday, prosecutors charged Walser with one count of giving a misleading statement to a public servant, a gross misdemeanor.
The charge stems from a 2006 investigation into one of Walser’s employees, an administrative assistant named Caroline Pepperell, who was accused by a neighbor with whom she had a dispute of using police software to spy on her.

Walser defended Pepperell, maintaining her innocence through a subsequent investigation.

During that investigation of Pepperell, Ben Tolson, then the mayor of the City of Sultan, decided that there was evidence that Walser hadn’t been honest with investigators regarding Pepperell's conduct. So a year ago, he ordered an internal investigation into Walser himself, alleging among other things that that the chief had misled investigators.

That month, Walser resigned, saying it was time he retired and denying that it was in relation to the tension between the mayor and himself.

The city then notified Walser that a criminal investigation was underway. That investigation, carried out by Wenatchee attorney Danielle Marchant, was completed in November. She concluded that Walser had indeed improperly concealed evidence incriminating Pepperell, hindered an investigation and lied. Walser maintained his innocence, saying the accusations were politically motivated.

The results of that investigation were forwarded to Whatcom County prosecutors rather than Snohomish County prosecutors because of Walser’s extensive connections in this county.

The City of Sultan also fired Pepperell, who filed a successful appeal with the Civil Service Commission. A judge in February ruled the city had dealt with her too harshly, and ordered her to return to work, which she has done.

In January, Walser, chairman and founder of the Highway 2 Safety Coalition, announced he would run for the state senate seat for the 39th district, currently occupied by Val Stevens.

He remains optimistic in spite of the decision by prosecutors to formally charge him.“ I’m pleading not guilty, and I think it will be over quite quickly,” said Walser.

He attributes the actions of the mayor and City of Sultan to political retribution because the city at that time was considering dissolving the force and contracting with the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office for services instead, a move Walser opposed.

If found guilty, Walser could face a maximum penalty of a year in jail and a $5,000 fine.

He isn’t concerned. Rather, he is hurt at the actions of the city, he said.

“I’m disappointed that after 11 and a half years in Sultan working hard for that city long hours, helping them with juvenile crime, that they would go forward with this,” he said. “I had no agenda other than to help the City of Sultan.”

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