Initiative promoter Eyman withdraws petition for bankruptcy

Tim Eyman speaks to the press about Initiative 1125 during a press event on Tuesday, November 8, 2011 at the Westin Hotel in Seattle. The measure had just gone down to defeat. Tim Eyman speaks to the press about Initiative 1125 during a press event on Tuesday, November 8, 2011 at the Westin Hotel in Seattle. The measure had just gone down to defeat. Photo: JOSHUA TRUJILLO Photo: JOSHUA TRUJILLO Image 1 of / 8 Caption Close Initiative promoter Eyman withdraws petition for bankruptcy 1 / 8 Back to Gallery

Initiative promoter Tim Eyman, saying he was at the "breaking point" from a civil suit by the state, sent out an email blast last fall saying he had been driven to file for bankruptcy and was headed for the divorce court.

On Feb. 28, in federal bankruptcy court, Eyman quietly withdrew his bankruptcy filing.

"After the consideration, and because the amount and nature of any claims that might be assessed are years out, the debtor (Eyman) wishes for his bankruptcy to be dismissed at this time," Eyman's attorney told the court.

RELATED: A bankrupt Tim Eyman is back in business with $30 car tab initiative

The withdrawal came days after Eyman, in court filings, disclosed that he had $465,615 in three checking accounts, $207,571 in retirement accounts, $573,281 in additional personal property, $3,700 in a savings account and listed his Harbour Pointe house at a value of $900,000.

Andrew Villeneuve, head of the Northwest Progressive Institute, a longtime student of Eyman's financial maneuvering, wrote:

"No doubt Eyman is anxious to get this proceeding shut down so he doesn't have to continue filing reports detailing his personal financial position, which his opposition gets to examine, along with anyone else who's interested."

RELATED: Connelly: Will the latest Tim Eyman initiative gut Sound Transit 'like a pig?'

SeattlePI reached out to Eyman, asking why, in his words, the bankruptcy filing has been withdrawn, and whether the divorce was still on.

Eyman evaded both questions, replying: "Opponents will assume the worst, supporters will wait for the facts, 99.9 percent of the public could not care less about my personal life." He then touted his $30 car tab initiative.

But Eyman has made a public deal of his (alleged) financial woes, resulting from a civil suit by the state Attorney General's office. He was using those woes Monday in an appeal to followers for financial support.

SEE ALSO: Washington initiative promoter Tim Eyman lashes out at fellow Republican

"I'm still struggling to dig myself out of all the legal expenses, bankruptcy costs, and other crap that the Attorney General's lawsuit is costing me," her wrote. "If you're willing to help, there's three options: 1) Mail check ... 2) PayPal; 3) GoFundMe."

It has been the worst of times and best of times for Eyman.

Eyman has sought the public eye and profits from his initiative campaigns since bursting on the scene with a $30 car tabs initiative 20 years ago.

He turns up everywhere, once appearing in a gorilla suit for an Olympia news conference, and recently trying to crash Gov. Jay Inslee's presidential campaign announcement. An old joke holds that the most dangerous ground to occupy in state politics is between Tim Eyman and a TV camera.

Based on a 76-page investigative report from the Public Disclosure Commission, AG Ferguson has mounted a $1.8 million civil suit against Eyman and two of his business fronts.

The suit charges that Eyman illegally and secretly moved donations between two of his 2012 initiative campaigns. The suit also alleged that Eyman took a $308,000 kickback from a firm he hired to gather initiative signatures, money put to his personal use.

Eyman was recently charged with stealing a chair from an Office Depot in Lacey. He has pleaded not guilty. A camera on premises recorded Eyman taking the chair, in a film that has since gone viral.

ON VIDEO: Tim Eyman under investigation for $70 office chair theft

Yet, Eyman and followers have collected enough signatures to win a place on the statewide ballot for an initiative to restore $30 car tabs. The measure would gut Sound Transit, likely derail Amtrak Cascades service and deny funding to local transportation projects.

Initiative 976 is before a Legislature, both houses controlled by hostile Democrats. Lawmakers can enact $30 car tabs, come up with an alternative, or send the Eyman initiative to the voters this November.

"No matter what is said about me or done to me, it will not prevent the voters from voting on I-976 in November," Eyman said in an email.

MORE FROM CONNELLY: Connelly: Senate passes bill to scrub Eyman's 'advisory' votes

Eyman has launched a referendum bid against pay hikes that a state commission recently granted to Gov. Inslee -- Eyman once called Inslee a "lying whore" -- as well as AG Ferguson and justices on the Washington State Supreme Court. The "GiveThemNothing.com" petition has featured a cartoon drawing of a politician shoving money into his mouth.

Villeneuve, who has tracked Eyman financial maneuvers for over a decade, wrote Friday: "If you believe what Tim Eyman says, perhaps you'd like to buy a bridge from me."