A group that works to elect Democrats to the state Senate is investigating whether its executive director made improper expenditures using money from the organization.

The Seattle Times reports that the state Senate Democratic Campaign Committee is investigating executive director Michael King.

The investigation was announced by Pacifica Law Group, which the committee hired for the probe. The King County Prosecutor's office, the Seattle Police Department and the Washington State Public Disclosure Commission are also involved.

Pacifica attorney Paul Lawrence says no charges have been filed.

Lawrence said late Friday that a compliance consultant for the SDCC raised a concern to the committee's leadership "that there appeared to be excessive reimbursements to an employee and that's what raised the concern."

Lawrence said the executive director runs the committee and the compliance consultant tracks how money is spent.

The group is chaired by state Sens. David Frockt, Sharon Nelson and Ed Murray - all of Seattle,

"The actual co-chairs of the committee are not actively involved day to day," he said, adding that they would not be aware of the daily flow of money.

The newspaper reports (http://bit.ly/WhVnNz) that the range of the improper spending is between $30,000 and $100,000. According to the Public Disclosure Commission, the SDCC raised $1.06 million and spent $1.02 million in 2012.

Local news blog PubliCola first reported the investigation Friday night.

An email and phone call to King was not immediately returned Saturday.