Published: March 11, 2008 06:14 pm            

TRIBUNE-STAR EDITORAL: Ray Watts should exit now from political life

TERRE HAUTE — Monday’s plea agreement between prosecutors and Vigo County Recorder Ray Watts took significant steps toward resolving the disturbing matter of a public official accused of sexually harassing a member of his staff. Watts admitted guilt, and will resign from his position within three months.

Still, the matter is far from resolved. The agreement leaves Watts with too much time in his courthouse office and an opportunity to re-claim his elected post by winning the Democratic primary in May and the general election in November.

This misdemeanor conviction does not prevent Watts from seeking public office in the future. It may seem like a long shot that he could win another election, but there is precedent in Vigo County for individuals convicted of crimes to campaign and win contested political races. (Terre Haute City Councilman Bill Thompson won re-election in 1999 to his post even after he pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor in connection with allegations of fraudulently obtaining a prescription medication.)

The prospect of Watts regaining a public office of any type should be troublesome to every citizen of Vigo County. Yet he will continue to have friends and political allies who will work on his behalf to help him secure another term.

Watts was charged with two felonies, stalking and official misconduct, and misdemeanor battery involving former deputy recorder Andrea Moeller. The plea agreement dropped the two felonies and brought a guilty plea on the misdemeanor battery charge.

Prosecutor Terry Modessit said that he and Moeller had set a goal early on to get Watts to admit his guilt and to resign from office. They did not seek to have him pledge to not pursue re-election.

But Moeller and Modessit are not to blame for deficiencies in the outcome. They accomplished a great deal with this case and are placing the rest in the hands of voters, who hopefully will help them close the deal by soundly defeating Watts in the upcoming primary.

There is, however, an even better solution. But that will require Watts to step forward and do the right thing for Vigo County.

Through his criminal conduct toward an individual over whom he had supervisory control, not to mention his serious breach of professional ethics, Watts violated the public trust. The principled thing for him to do is immediately resign from office and withdraw his candidacy in the primary election. It’s too late to have his name removed from the ballot, so if he still wins the election, he should pledge to drop out of the race and allow his party to fill the ballot vacancy.

Watts has it within his power to resolve this matter completely by leaving the public sphere. He should do so now.

        

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