Tri Cities Reporter

The Washington State Supreme Court recently ruled unanimously that current efforts to recall the Benton County sheriff can move forward, according to an article by The Daily Chronicle.

Nearly four months, Sgt. Jason Erickson filed a recall petition which accuses Sheriff Jerry Hatcher of eight separate charges including charges of criminal misconduct, tampering with physical evidence, discrimination, intimidation and retaliation.

According to the ruling signed by Chief Justice Debra Stephens, these allegations are recallable offenses if true. The ruling gives Erickson the green light to start collecting signatures to remove Hatcher from office. The matter would then go to voters in a special election.

Erickson has six months to collect signatures from Benton County voters equal to 25% of the number of votes cast in Hatcher's last election which is approximately 14,000 signatures.

The Supreme Court justices have said than they will release their opinion on the matter at a later date.

Hatcher is disputing the allegations.