If you want evidence of how much power the progressive political network has over the local news media, just look once again how journalists doing their job suddenly seem to get weak at the knees when they discover something fishy about a left-of-center candidate. (See Bryan Myrick's post here).

It was Keith Ervin of the Seattle Times who first made reference to the problem of Dow Constantine's treasurer Jason Bennett wearing one too many hats in his involvement with both a political action committee and the campaign staff that the PAC was supporting. He dropped it at that and the blogosphere took over from there, with Red County breaking the story as a possible campaign violation.

Now we have another issue regarding a possible sexual misconduct case levied against Constantine. The same reporter discovered the information, but now refuses to fully report the findings. Apparently the plaintiff in the case has pleaded to keep it under wraps due to fears of losing her job if the information is made public.....which in my view begs further investigation. How could she lose her job, unless her current job is some kind of a promotion she received in return for not pursuing the case against Constantine? Is there more to the corruption than even we cynical bloogers can imagine?

Here is a letter I received by e-mail--I won't reveal the writer unless he gives me his permission (you know how to contact me), but here is the text. It gives instructions for action:

Dear Friends:
 
On Tuesday, October 20, Keith Ervin of the Seattle Times sent the King County Council a Public Records Request for records relating to any complaints alleging inappropriate comments or behavior by King County Councilmember Dow Constantine toward any employee.

On October 22, the County Council's public records officer transmitted a packet to the Seattle Times regarding a sexual misconduct investigation against King County Councilmember Dow Constantine.  Additional documents were to be released to the Seattle Times the week of October 26.
 
On October 27, the undisclosed plaintiff in the sexual harassment investigation petitioned and was granted an order restraining the release of any documents until after the November election (attached).  King County Superior Court Judge Brian Gain granted Order # 09-2-39490-0SEA, which stated the plaintiff feared "immediate loss of employment" if the documents were made public. The restraining order shows that the woman fears for her job and possible retribution.
 
The Seattle Times has some of the records and will not release or comment on them. Aren't these public records as relevant to the public interest as Susan Hutchison's private legal records that the Seattle Times worked so hard to have made public? How is it fair that the Times so diligently pursued and released records about Hutchison, but now sits on a story about Constantine's alleged actions while an elected county official?
 
The Times could release what it already has. They could appeal the Temporary Restraining Order. They have done neither.
 
If you think the Times should release this information, please contact them and let them know. Demand full disclosure.  (206) 464-2200. kervin@seattletimes.com. jsimon@seattletimes.com.