Renton Businessman Files PDC Complaint Against Mayor Law Over Library

Renton businessman Karel Lambert has filed a complaint with the state Public Disclosure Commission against Renton Mayor Denis Law, alleging that the mayor didn't follow PDC guidelines in conducting a media interview regarding the recent proposition to select a library site, and cited cost figures that hadn't been approved by the city.

Lambert, who filed the complaint Aug. 2, said in an email to Patch, "Mayor Law, was warned about the possibility of litigation against the City of Renton by KCLS in this matter by City Attorney Larry Warren in a memo of 5 Mar 2012 is apparently advising voters that the City’s own cost estimates (which were printed as part of the explanatory statement in the voter’s guide) are likely wrong, and that the cost estimates by Bill Ptacek of King County Library System are the credible estimates."

Law said after Monday's Renton City Council Meeting that he and the city will comment once the PDC has done its investigation into the complaint.

"The PDC staff will likely review the complaint in the next couple of weeks to decide what happens next," said PDC spokeswoman Lori Anderson.

You can view the entire complaint filed with the PDC by clicking on the to the right of the story.

Renton voters the Cedar River location for the library over the proposed site west of the Piazza.

Editors Note - Mr. Lambert provided the incorrect date as mentioned about City Attorney Larry Warren's memo in his press release to the Patch. The memo is dated March 5, not March 18 as orginially stated.