Everett mayor faces probe over 'affair' with married deputy previously accused of cheating

A suburban Seattle mayor who split from husband last year is now facing an official probe over claims of an affair with her married deputy who has a scandalous past. 

Everett City Council voted unanimously earlier this week to use a law firm to carrying out the investigation into whether Mayor Cassie Franklin’s personal relationship with deputy mayor Nick Harper violated any laws, policies, or led to the misuse of city resources.

She has not confirmed or denied allegations that she is in a relationship with Harper.   

‘If there is anything they want to talk to me in the course of this, I am available and will fully participate. My focus is to continue to do the work for the community and take care of the city. I look forward to continuing to work with the council to run the city,’ Franklin said.

‘My personal life is my personal life,’ she said to The Herald. 

Harper, a former state senator, who is married and has two children, was hired by Franklin in 2018.

He has not commented about the alleged relationship, although it would not be not the first time he has been entangled in an alleged affair.  

Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin

Deputy Mayor Nick Harper

A law firm is investigating a possible personal relationship between Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin and her Deputy Mayor Nick Harper

He stepped down as a Washington state Democrat senator in 2013 over claims of extra-marital shenanigans.  

And in a further excruciating twist, his wife Lacey works as executive director of Snohomish Council – which includes the city of Everett, and which has close ties to her husband’s office.

After winning his Democratic seat in 2010, he was later forced to resign from office in 2013 after there were rumors of an extramarital affair. 

Harper explained his departure as him wanting to spend more time with family and because ‘my work in Olympia takes me away from my family far too much.’

Council President Brenda Stonecipher has retained the services of the law firm Stokes Lawrence to conduct the official probe with the council also hiring outside legal counsel to oversee the work. 

Franklin did not attend the meeting, which was held remotely for almost an hour. She has subsequently declined to comment on the council’s decision. 

A meeting was held remotely for almost an hour. Franklin has subsequently declined to comment on the council's decision to investigate her alleged relationship

A meeting was held remotely for almost an hour. Franklin has subsequently declined to comment on the council’s decision to investigate her alleged relationship

‘I support the action to make further inquiries about the circumstances and details of this personal relationship,’ Stonecipher said on Wednesday in a statement. 

‘I hope and truly expect that this work will reveal no wrongdoing, but I do believe it’s important as council members to conduct this investigation to ensure that our government is operating effectively and lawfully so that we can preserve and protect our collective faith in the integrity of our municipal government.’

Only one other council member commented: ‘It is difficult but necessary,’ Liz Vogeli said. 

Franklin was the city’s first female mayor when she was elected in 2017 and won reelection in 2021. On her campaign website she stated how she ‘enjoys spending time with her husband.’

Everett Deputy Mayor Nick Harper, left, is pictured with his wife, Lacey in a snap from 2014

Everett Deputy Mayor Nick Harper, left, is pictured with his wife, Lacey in a snap from 2014

Nick Harper's wife, Lacey, also works for the council as is the Executive Director of Snohomish County's Executive Office

Nick Harper’s wife, Lacey, also works for the council as is the Executive Director of Snohomish County’s Executive Office

She filed for divorce from her husband in November last year after 14 years of marriage. 

The couple had a daughter together. Court filings reveal that the couple started living separately from July with their marriage said to be ‘irretrievably broken.’

Franklin stated that she was informed last summer by the city’s human resource officers that no city policies would be violated if she were in a consensual relationship with a city employee. 

As mayor and the city’s top executive, Franklin is in a position to appoint and remove most appointed officers and city employees. 

The investigation is looking into whether Mayor Cassie Franklin's personal relationship with deputy mayor Nick Harper seen here left, and far right,  violated any laws, policies, or led to the misuse of city resources

The investigation is looking into whether Mayor Cassie Franklin’s personal relationship with deputy mayor Nick Harper seen here left, and far right,  violated any laws, policies, or led to the misuse of city resources

Franklin, the city's first elected female mayor split from her husband late last year

Franklin, the city’s first elected female mayor split from her husband late last year

Franklin (second from right) filed for divorce from her husband in November last year after 14 years of marriage

Franklin (second from right) filed for divorce from her husband in November last year after 14 years of marriage

Franklin stated that she was informed last summer by the city's human resource officers that no city policies would be violated if she were in a consensual relationship with a city employee

Franklin stated that she was informed last summer by the city’s human resource officers that no city policies would be violated if she were in a consensual relationship with a city employee

source: dailymail.co.uk