(The Center Square) - Washington State Supreme Court Justice Colleen Melody met with millionaire’s tax prime sponsor Sen. Jamie Pedersen, D-Seattle, in September while she was a member of the State Attorney General’s Office, according to records obtained by The Center Square.
While the AGO says the meeting was to discuss other legislation, a group that has sued over the millionaire’s tax says the meeting raises issues as to whether Melody should preside over the case, which is expected to reach the state high court.
According to the records, the meeting between Pedersen and AGO staff occurred on Sept. 9 in Seattle. The meeting invitation subject line stated “AGO Legislative Team: Office Hours Meeting with Sen. Pedersen,” but did not mention specific legislation.
Among those invited to the meeting was Melody, who was hired by then-Attorney General Bob Ferguson in 2015 to lead the AGO's Wing Luke Civil Rights Division.