Fired police chief sues over asset freeze

Court documents indicate Thomas Schlicker was fired as Swinomish Police Chief “for cause” and that his bank account was frozen, and the bank wouldn’t say who authorized it.

So far, the only information shedding any light on the situation comes from court filings in a lawsuit against the bank brought by William Johnston, the Bellingham attorney Schlicker hired last month.

The Washington State Patrol is investigating a possible criminal case against Schlicker “over an allegation of misappropriation of tribal funds,” said the agency’s spokesman Robert Calkins.

That’s the only word coming out of the agency. Calkins wouldn’t give any details or even say who asked the State Patrol to investigate the case. And as of Tuesday, there had been no criminal charges filed against the former police chief.

Court records indicate that allegations of theft and money laundering were the basis on which Skagit County Superior Court Judge Dave Needy issued a search warrant on Washington Federal Bank in La Conner. The Sept. 16 warrant and subsequent account freeze, was requested by a State Patrol detective. The freeze was lifted Oct. 7.

Read more in the Oct. 22 issue!