Fact Check: The Lien on Tom French's Property

The Claim: At the Oct. 18 Lake Forest Park candidates forum, Mark Phillips, a campaign manager for Pos. 4 candidate Chuck Paulsen, asked Lake Forest Park City Council Position 6 candidate Tom French about a lien placed on French’s Lake Forest Park property for unpaid sewer charges exceeding $1,000 last April. French responded that he was looking into the matter and it could be related to someone else in LFP with the same name. Phillips found the lien via research into public records at the King County Recorders Office and the City of Lake Forest Park.

The Facts: In his own words, this is what French had to say:

I purchased my home from my father who passed away two years ago. As it turns out, the bills were listed as C/O Wendell French (his late father) and as such, were automatically forwarded to a P.O. Box that was closed nearly a year ago. I have never received a copy of the lien or any other documents pertaining to this matter. (I would think that there would have to be a certified letter, but I am not certain of this.)

When I found this out very late this afternoon (Oct. 20), I delivered a check for the total amount in arrears to Lake Forest Park City Hall. The responsibility lies solely with me and not with the City. 

Context: Phillips, again a campaign manager for Paulsen, raised the issue citing the importance of paying one’s bills by someone running for office, a city sewer bill in this case.

Also, French has made accountability an issue in his campaign. In response to a question about why he is running for office by Patch, he answered in part with the following.

“I am running for office to bring back accountability and an open dialogue between the city government and the citizens of Lake Forest Park.”

Does this matter to you or not? Tell us in the comments?