Police Guild Revokes Campaign Endorsement For Ed Prince

The Renton Police Officers’ Guild announced today that it has revoked its endorsement for Renton City Council candidate Ed Prince.

New information regarding Prince’s past, including a finding from the Washington State Employment Securities Department, a foreclosure and a ticket caused the guild to pull its endorsement of Prince, which it originally awarded this summer. The Guild learned of the incidents from Renton resident Rosemary Quesenberry, and notified Prince by phone this morning.

The Guild mostly based its decision on a finding from the Washington State Employment Securities Department and how Prince handled a former charge of driving with a suspended license charge (DWLS).

“Had we known that, we never would have endorsed him,” said Guild President Craig Sjolin, adding that the group was also previously unaware of the candidate’s home foreclosure.

Prince said he’s disappointed by the Guild’s decision and didn’t think the information was relevant to his candidate interview with the Guild.

“I intended to be forthcoming. I didn’t think it was relevant at the time, but now I’ll take that with me going forward. I will not hold ill feelings. They did what they had to do,” Prince said, adding that he disagreed with the Guild’s decision.

The Washington State Employment Securities Department found Prince was at fault for causing the overpayment of $13,028 in unemployment, and was also held “liable for the refund” of an additional $487 in conditional benefits. Prince was ordered to re-pay the $13,515, according to court documents.

The Guild also took issue with Prince’s failure to pay a $50 fine for a DWLS, or driving with a suspended license charge, from May 1998 in Whitman County.

Prince sent a $50 check in July 1998; however, the check bounced and Prince was notified by mail. According to Whitman County District Court documents, Prince said he never received the letter because “his roommate did not give him the letter.”

The fine went to collections in the amount of $70 in November 1998; Prince paid the fine, plus interest in January 2000.

“He was collecting unemployment benefits when he probably shouldn’t have been,” Sjolin said, adding that the Guild could not overcome the new information, and decided to revoke its endorsement.