Archives treasure #3: GamScam Documents

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Here it is! The last of this months’ three “Archives treasures” is a subpoena to former governor Dixy Lee Ray and the official response verifying that it was received and would be complied with. Both documents are from 1980, at the height of the GamScam scandal. GamScam was one of the most notorious political scandals in Washington State history. It was an ordeal that destroyed the political careers of two of the most powerful leaders at the time in the State Legislature. In 1980, House Speaker John Bagnariol and Senate Majority Leader Gordon L. Walgren were indicted on charges of conspiring to allow gambling in Washington in return for part of the profits. GamScam was uncovered after undercover FBI agents posing as businessmen taped conversations between Walgren, Bagnariol and lobbyist Peter Gallagher, who was also named in the federal racketeering charges. Both Walgren and Bagnariol served time in prison following the scandal. The GamScam documents are the final installment in the August edition of State Archives treasures contest. You can check out the first installment here and the second here. On Thursday, we’ll start an online poll allowing you and others to choose your favorite for the month.