FORMER STATE LAWMAKER INDICTED FOR MAIL FRAUD IN CONNECTION WITH EMPLOYMENT SECURITY SCHEME
Attorney Conspired with Ex-Girlfriend’s Daughter to Defraud Washington State
PAUL H. KING, 58, a former resident of Mountlake Terrace, Washington, was indicted by a federal grand jury last month and was arrested late yesterday for Mail Fraud. KING is an attorney practicing in Snohomish and King Counties. From 1983 to 1989 he served in the Washington State Legislature representing the 44th District in Snohomish County. KING made his appearance this afternoon in U.S. District Court Seattle. KING is being held at the Federal Detention Center pending a hearing on September 18, 2008.
According to the indictment, between October 2004, and July 2005, KING conspired with the daughter of his former domestic partner, to defraud the Washington State Employment Security. KING submitted to the state Department of Licensing a Master Application for a business named “Stephen’s Sales and Service.” KING claimed the business planned to have a three person sales force in October 2004. On October 13, 2004, KING submitted Quarterly Tax Reports falsely claiming that he was an employee of “Stephen’s Sales and Service” who had worked 480 hours per quarter earning $12,840 per quarter from the third quarter of 2002 until the third quarter of 2004. On October 23, 2004, KING applied for and received unemployment benefits from Employment Security because of his fraudulent filings. In December 2004, KING filed similarly false statements on behalf of his former domestic partner’s daughter, so she too received unemployment benefits to which she was not entitled. Between November of 2004, and May of 2005, PAUL KING was paid more than $12,200 to which he was not entitled. Between January 2005 and July 2005, KING’s co-conspirator was paid more than $12,800 to which she was not entitled. In June of 2005, PAUL H. KING sent Washington State Employment Security a check for $12,480 to refund monies to the accounts.
Mail Fraud is punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
The charges contained in the indictment are only allegations. A person is presumed innocent unless and until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The case was investigated by U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General, and the Washington State Department of Employment Security. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jim Lord.
For additional information please contact Emily Langlie, Public Affairs Officer for the United States Attorney’s Office, at (206) 553-4110.
