Britian re-elected Kennewick Mayor, faces ethics complaint

Don Britain narrowly retained the position of Mayor of Kennewick, while Steve Lee remains Mayor Pro Tem.

Britain staved off a challenge by Chuck Torelli by a vote of 4-3, with Bill McKay and John Trumbo siding with a change in leadership.

But, it wasn't all good news for Britain.

McKay announced that he had filed an ethics complaint against the mayor that was signed by two other council members.

"If John Trumbo or Brad Beachamp did what Mr. Britain has done, I would sign one against them as well," McKay said during Tuesday night's council meeting. "And if I had done something like that, I would resign."

The complaint stems from the investigation into wrong-doing by the state Department of Social and Health Services that led to Britain's termination as a case worker for breaking DSHS rules.

Last year, the city installed an ethics officer to investigate ethics complaints against city council members and other city officials.