YAKIMA -- Action News received an anonymous tip and looked into whether couple commissioners once took donations from the same person they just appointed as a Yakima County District Judge.

The tipster suggested tongues were wagging about newly appointed district court Judge Ralph Thompson and some contributions he made to the Yakima County Commissioners who selected him for the seat.

Action News looked up the contributions through the Public Disclosure Commission, which listed Judge Thompson as giving Commissioner Mike Leita $50 for his campaign in 2004.

Two years ago, Commissioner Elliot got $200 from the judge.

"If the anonymous emailer was suggesting he bought my vote, how did he know there was going to be a spot open," Elliot said. "That's ridiculous."

The commissioner also said there's simply no way he and Thompson and could've known about the opening for District Court Judge when he made the contribution two years ago, and that Thompson's contribution is small.

"That's less than half of one percent," he said.

It's even smaller for Leita.

He couldn't meet for an on-camera interview, but KIMA was able to speak to him over the phone after he left this voice mail,"Hopefully you're not making that connection, but if you are, shame on you."

Commissioner Leita explained that Yakima is a small community and paths do cross, but he can guarantee Thompson's contribution had nothing to do with his appointment.

Leita added that Judge Thompson's position is an interim one, and if anyone truly believes his contributions bought his way into that position, they could run for the position this fall

Commissioner Elliot did admit though that Thompson is the only district judge candidate who made contributions to his campaign.

Judge Thompson also spoke with KIMA over the phone, but he said he was too busy to meet because he's still getting familiar with his new job.

The judge told Action News he's made contributions to many political candidates in the past.

"Oh, I won't speculate," Elliot replied when Action News asked him if someone was upset they'd lost to Thompson.