SEATTLE, WA — King County Assessor John Arthur Wilson was arrested Wednesday night by Seattle police for allegedly violating a restraining order filed by his ex-fiancée, Lee Keller. He was booked into the King County Jail under suspicion of stalking.
According to court records, Wilson was arrested outside Keller’s home, marking the latest escalation in a troubling pattern of behavior. Keller, a former radio reporter and current communications consultant, has filed two restraining orders against Wilson in the past year.
A judge set Wilson’s bail at $50,000 during a Thursday hearing, which he did not attend. He was also ordered to surrender any weapons. His attorneys have not indicated whether he intends to post bail.
Keller told police that Wilson had repeatedly shown up at her home and public events, violating the court order. According to the police report, officers were taking Keller’s statement when Wilson drove past in his car. He was pulled over shortly after and claimed he was in the neighborhood to view a houseboat for sale.
Keller described her ongoing fear: “I have never felt like this in my life. I’ve never been scared to leave my home.” The officer’s report noted that she was “visibly shaking” during the incident.
Wilson, who is currently running for King County Executive, has denied wrongdoing. He claims the allegations were exaggerated and that Keller had previously agreed to drop the order if he loaned her money—an assertion Keller has refuted.
His attorney, John Polito, dismissed the request for high bail, arguing that Wilson poses no physical threat: “There have never been any threats of physical assault. There are allegations that he’s violated an order for protection. That’s it.”
Still, the case has prompted strong reactions from local leaders. The King County Council issued a vote of no confidence last month, and Mayor Bruce Harrell, interim County Executive Shannon Braddock, and State Senator Manka Dhingra have all called for Wilson to end his campaign and resign.
Because the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office represents Wilson’s office in civil matters, the stalking case will instead be handled by the Snohomish County Prosecutor to avoid conflicts of interest.
Wilson remains under investigation as public scrutiny of his candidacy and conduct continues to grow ahead of next year’s election.
