Documents reveal more specifics about Rep. Shea investigation
Hundreds of documents compiled as part of a special investigation into Rep. Matt Shea, R-Spokane Valley, have been made available to the public.
By: Steve Jackson, Spokane Public Radio
The Washington State House commissioned the investigation.
The 500 pages of documents include online chat information, emails, social media posts and other materials.
Investigators concluded that Shea was involved in acts of “domestic terrorism” for roles he played in three events, including the standoff at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon. In that case, the documents appear to show Shea in email conversations with patriot movement collegues. Shea has said that he was not in the organization of the event.
But the documents indicate just two days after the standoff began, Shea was sending emails saying he had intelligence that an FBI strike team was preparing to “drastically escalate." He makes reference to evaluating the situation and making a decision as to whether a “call up” should be made.
In an email the following day, Shea talks about “teams that are organizing and ready to deploy," although it is unclear who those teams might be. He also instructs team leaders to talk to other team leaders rather than a second in command.
Shea has defined his role in the Malheur siege as that of a negotiator who days after the emails met with the occupiers to help defuse the situation. Malheur organizer Ammon Bundy has stated that Shea was not involved in organizing the event.
Read the original version of this story at Spokane Public Radio
