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Enforcements for Department of Commerce

Case Agency Violation/Result Penalty Amount Laws RCW
2022-043 Department of Commerce

Violation: A Small Business & Community Support Managing Director at the Department of Commerce, may have violated the Ethics in Public Service Act by conducting activities incompatible with public duties and by using state resources for private benefit or gain. Evidence indicated that they were on the Board of Directors of the Association of Women and Minority Businesses, which could result in a conflict of interest with their position at the Department of Commerce. Additionally, documents and emails related to the association were located on their state computer.

Result: An agreed Stipulation and Order was entered on July 14, 2023, imposing a civil penalty of $500 with $100 suspended.

$500 RCW 42.52.020, RCW 42.52.160
2022-026 Department of Commerce

Violation: Former Chief of Information for the Department of Commerce, agreed that they may have violated the Ethics in Public Service Act by contracting out information services with a company that they were part owner of and did not disclose the relationship to the Department of Commerce.

Result: An agreed Stipulation and Order was entered on November 17 2023, imposing a civil penalty of $30,000.

$30,000 RCW 42.52.020, RCW 42.52.070, RCW 42.52.160
1996-027 Department of Commerce

Violation: A former Department of Commerce, Trade and Economic Development employee may have violated the Ethics in Public Service Act when they accepted employment with a private company in which they participated in a contract with and had a financial benefit in without regard to the two-year post-state employment restriction.

Result: Settlement approved on May 13, 1997 for a Civil penalty in the amount of $250.

$250 RCW 42.52.080