Documents show Tarkenton was fired from prosecutor’s office

Documents show Danny Tarkenton was dismissed from the Spokane County prosecutor’s office on Aug. 25, 2025, after about five months as an entry-level attorney. A January settlement allowed the county to list her departure as a resignation. Tarkenton is now seeking to lead the same office, challenging Preston McCollam, the Republican appointed by the Spokane County Commission last year.

The records conflict with Tarkenton’s campaign explanation that she left to pursue another college degree. County officials, attorneys and an outside human resources investigator raised concerns about her conduct, including disputes with supervisors, resistance to direction and allegations that she created a difficult workplace. The investigation also concluded that complaints she made about her treatment were baseless. Tarkenton rejected the allegations and said she faced unfair treatment before her dismissal.

Tarkenton first worked in the criminal division before moving to civil work on May 22, 2025. Records describe disagreements over workload, supervision and an involuntary-treatment case involving medical opinions. McCollam said he has tried to keep the campaign focused on the experience needed to deliver justice and had avoided discussing the employment dispute. The matter now gives Spokane County voters another piece of information as they choose who will oversee the prosecutor’s office, while the two candidates continue their campaign after briefly working together there.