Critics warn that WA bill could ‘weaponize’ AGO with new investigative powers

(The Center Square) – The Washington state Senate has passed a bill that critics in the chamber warn could “weaponize” the State Attorney General’s Office by giving it new investigative powers into civil infractions, with potential criminal penalties for failure to comply and a gag order on the person subject to it.

“It allows for the potential to weaponize the state agency, should somebody actually have an agenda,” Sen. Jeff Holy, R-Cheney told colleagues on the Senate floor prior to the passage of Senate Bill 5925. “There’s no due process protection in this whatsoever.”

Currently, the AGO has the power to issue what are known as civil investigative demands to individuals or entities to turn over documents, provide written testimony, or give testimony if the AGO believes they are in possession of information or documents relevant to the investigation...