McKenna
OLYMPIA, Wash. (Legal Newsline) - Washington Attorney General Rob McKenna announced on Thursday that his office has settled a lawsuit against the National Education Association.
The lawsuit alleged illegally used fees paid to it by non-members for political purposes. The NEA has agreed to pay $85,000 in fines and fees for settlement of the suit, which was originally filed in 2002.
McKenna's office joined forces with the Evergreen Freedom Foundation in the suit, alleging that the NEA violated a state law that bars unions from using non-member fees for political purposes without prior permission.
The NEA does not admit any violation, but the parties agreed to the settlement to resolve the dispute between them without the expense and uncertainty of continued litigation.
From the settlement, $50,000 will go to the state for civil penalties and $35,000 will go to the Evergreen Freedom Foundation and the cost of litigation.