Newly-Released Texts Offer Inside Look into Last Months of Burnett's Reelection Campaign

Questions from the public and communications from the media reveal a sheriff, and campaign, under fire

Former Chelan County Sheriff Brian Burnett in a 2022 campaign video produced by the “Killing Robots” video production company.

Newly-released text messages from former Chelan County Sheriff Brian Burnett’s cellphone reveal a campaign, and a sheriff, growing concerned about news coming to light and planning media appearances to weigh in on state and national political issues.

Incoming and outgoing texts from Burnett’s official cell from July 1 to Sept. 2, 2022 show the sheriff facing tough questions from the public and reporters. The texts were provided by Chelan County in response to a public records request.

A message from a local reporter forwarded from Burnett’s phone to an unknown individual on Sept. 2, 2022.

Just days after I broke the news that former Deputy Jennifer Tyler is still on CCSO payroll, Burnett received texts asking about that.

Incoming texts on Sept. 1, 2022 from an individual asking about Tyler being on the CCSO payroll, and an outgoing message from Burnett saying he’ll call soon.