Seattle council candidate alleges political shakedown by developer

[eridani]

http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/seattle-council-candidate-alleges-political-shakedown-by-developer/

Seattle City Council candidate Jon Grant claims the developer of a project across from City Hall tried to shake him down, and a text message sent to former Mayor Mike McGinn reveals some of what went on.

Grant says Brett Allen, a senior vice president at Triad Capital Partners, approached him at a Saturday campaign event and asked for help settling a lawsuit brought by Grant’s former employer.

Grant says he was told the payoff could be that a new political committee gearing up to spend heavily against him would go away.

Then Allen sought to have McGinn broker a meeting with Grant, sending the former mayor a text message Sunday that spelled out the proposed quid-pro-quo. McGinn endorsed Grant last week.

“Hey Mike, it’s Brett. Any luck in getting Grant to a sit down? I realize 100% of his focus is on election — but nothing else he does today could translate into as many votes. Definitely worth an hour of his time,” the text message sent Sunday began.

The suit in question, filed with support from the Tenants Union of Washington State when Grant was executive director, challenged a Triad land-use permit for the Civic Square project, saying the permit had been illegally renewed and objecting to the project in general because it won’t include affordable housing.

[pscot]

1. Oh dear