Douglas County Prosecutor Sean Lewis to resign Sept. 30

WATERVILLE — Douglas County Prosecuting Attorney Sean Lewis will resign Sept. 30 due to health reasons, the Douglas County Board of Commissioners announced Aug. 31.

Lewis said health issues led him to conclude that leaving public office was the right decision for himself and his family.

“This was not a decision that I made lightly,” Lewis said in a statement. “Due to health issues, I have determined that stepping away from public service at this time is the right decision for me and my family.”

The resignation comes months after Lewis faced controversy over his handling of evidence in a criminal case dismissed earlier this year.

In a Jan. 27 order, Douglas County Superior Court Commissioner Steven M. Clem found that Lewis had instructed a deputy prosecutor that he did not need to disclose that a key witness in another case had previously lied to law enforcement. Clem found the information constituted exculpatory evidence and that Lewis’ intentional failure to disclose it amounted to “governmental misconduct.”

Clem dismissed the criminal charges with prejudice, writing that the nondisclosure called into question the integrity of the Douglas County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office and could have resulted in a conviction of the defendant.

“The over-arching goal of a prosecutor is to promote justice. Not obtain convictions,” Clem wrote.

Lewis said in his Aug. 31 resignation statement that serving as county prosecutor had been an honor.

“It has been a true honor and privilege to serve the people of Douglas County in this role,” Lewis said. “I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to work alongside so many dedicated individuals who care deeply about our community and the people we serve.”

The Douglas County Board of Commissioners will appoint an interim prosecuting attorney to take office Oct. 1 under state law.

State law requires a person appointed or elected as county prosecutor to be a qualified Douglas County elector and an attorney admitted to practice in Washington.

Lewis’ name remains on the Nov. 3 general election ballot as the Republican candidate for Douglas County prosecuting attorney. He is the only candidate listed for the office.

The county said additional information about the process for selecting an interim prosecutor will be released as it becomes available.

Andrew Simpson: 509-433-7626 or andrew@ward.media