TACOMA — Pierce County Sheriff Keith Swank’s desire to cooperate with federal immigration authorities, despite Pierce County officials saying he can’t under Washington law, has resulted in pending legal action after Swank used an outside attorney to serve three officials with a demand for mediation last week.

Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney Mary Robnett has told Swank he cannot seek legal advice from attorney Joan Mell and that only the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office can act as Swank’s attorney. She also said Mell’s legal advice about cooperating with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) could expose the county to millions of dollars in potential liability, as previously reported by The News Tribune. On Wednesday Robnett served Mell an order seeking to restrict her from offeri

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