EXECUTIVE ETHICS BOARD CASE SETTLEMENTS Last Revised 8-9-06   CASE VIOLATION RESULTS 2004-044 Green River Community College employee brought nine personal vehicles into college auto shop and did not pay for the repairs. Settlement approved on January 13, 2006 for a Civil penalty of $1,000. 2004-032 Former State Fire Marshall directed staff to purchase sprinkler system components at a discount for her personal residence, to participate in the installation of a sprinkler system at her personal residence, and participated in contracting and regulatory decisions related to her spouse's employment. Settlement approved on October 8, 2004 for a Civil penalty in the amount of $2,000. 2003-146 University of Washington Director of Football Operations accepted free transportation for himself and his family members to attend various state and private functions. Settlement approved on September 10, 2004 for a Civil penalty in the amount of $5,000. The amount includes $1,500 for investigative costs. 2003-121 Department of Social and Health Services employee used state provided computer and internet service to access websites related to her condominium, domestic pet and medical sites, Safeco, Mariners, Ticketmaster, music, and department store sites. She also used instant message services to communicate with family members. Settlement approved on September 10, 2004 for a Civil penalty in the amount of $500. 2003-120 Department of Corrections employee used her state computer, e-mail, and Internet to access non-work related sites on a daily basis. Settlement approved on September 10, 2004 for a Civil penalty in the amount of $750 with $250 suspended . 2003-110 University of Washington Head Football Coach accepted free transportation for his wife and two minor children to attend a college football game. Settlement approved on June 11, 2004 for a Civil penalty in the amount of $2,500 that includes $1500 for investigative costs and will compensate the appropriate party the travel costs of $5,273.90. 2003-083 Employment Security Department employee used state time and equipment to visit internet game, retail, and recipe sites and create, forward, and print jokes, poems, chain letters, and conversations with family members. Settlement approved on September 10, 2004 for a Civil penalty in the amount of $750 with $250 suspended. 2003-082 Department of Transportation employee used state laptop computer and internet service for outside employment, personal projects, stock trading and viewing inappropriate materials. Settlement approved on March 11, 2005 for a Civil penalty in the amount of $2,000 with $500 suspended. 2003-056 Department of Licensing employee used state resources to promote his outside business. Settlement approved on March 10, 2006 for a Civil penalty in the amount of $525. 2003-054 Former Department of Social and Health Services employee used state resources to engage in outside activities and visited over 1,800 internet sites not related to official duties. Settlement approved on January 13, 2006 for a Civil penalty of $1,000. 2003-038 State employee failed to take leave for 200 hours while out of the office. Settlement approved on March 10, 2006 for a Civil penalty of $1,000. 2003-034 Employment Security Department employee used state time and equipment to create, forward, and print jokes, poems, chain letters, an apartment checklist, and a family member's resume. Settlement approved on September 10, 2004 for a Civil penalty in the amount of $750 with $250 suspended. 2003-024 Department of Retirement Systems employee used resources to benefit the union. Settlement approved on September 9, 2005 for a Civil penalty in the amount of $250 with $150 suspended. 2003-020 Office of the Attorney General AAG used state resources to prepare documents for private law suit. Settlement approved on March 11, 2005 for a Civil penalty in the amount of $500. 2003-016 Department of Social and Health Services employee received inappropriate jokes on his state computer and distributed them to coworkers. Settlement approved on April 9, 2004 for a Civil penalty in the amount of $500. The Board also issued a Letter of Reprimand. 2003-015 Department of Social and Health Services employee used state resources and a state provided computer to copy and distribute inappropriate jokes to coworkers via hardcopy and e-mail. Settlement approved on April 9, 2004 for a Civil penalty in the amount of $500. 2002-65 Department of Labor & Industries employee sent and received over 650 personal emails, accessed at least 20 non-work related Internet sites and generated and stored 60 personal documents. Settlement approved on September 12, 2003 for a Civil penalty in the amount of $500. 2002-64 Department of Labor & Industries employee generated and stored non-work related documents regarding receipts, articles, personal letters, personal finance spreadsheet and cartoons. In addition, accessed over 25 Internet websites for non-work related purposes, stored personal photos on state owned computer, accessed personal hotmail account, sent and received over 240 emails regarding jokes, trivia, history and sports. Settlement approved on September 12, 2003 for a Civil penalty in the amount of $750 with $250 suspended. 2002-63 Department of Labor & Industries employee generated and stored non-work related documents regarding crochet instructions, receipts, personal check register spreadsheet, personal workout spreadsheet, application and resume of a family member and personal letters. Settlement approved on September 12, 2003 for a Civil penalty in the amount of $750 with $250 suspended. 2002-62 Department of Labor & Industries employee generated and stored non-work related documents such as personal stories, genealogy, expense budge, sports and photos. Also accessed personal Yahoo account, sent and received personal emails, accessed non-work related Internet sits and made 275 personal calls using SCAN. Settlement approved on September 12, 2003 for a Civil penalty in the amount of $500. 2002-60 Evergreen State College employee used state resources to write and send a four-page open letter to more than 600 individuals and local businesses soliciting donations for a student defense fund. Settlement approved on January 12, 2004 for a Civil penalty in the amount of $250 with $150 suspended. The Board also issued a Letter of Reprimand. 2002-53 Kent Regional Justice Center employee used state computer to access at least 63 websites on the Internet relating to sports, jokes, auctions, department stores, automobiles, movies and adult-oriented sites. Also sent personal email containing inappropriate content to coworkers, friends, family and outside agencies. Settlement approved on July 11, 2003 for a Civil penalty in the amount of $1,500 with $500 suspended. 2002-52 Shoreline Community College Associate Dean used state computer to download and store 71,715 adult-oriented graphics and movies and sent emails searching for summer attorney employment. Settlement approved on November 21, 2003 for a Civil penalty in the amount of $20,000 with $5,000 suspended and an additional $4,000 restitution to employing agency for investigative costs. 2002-50 Department of Social and Health Services employee used materials available to her as a state employee such as letterhead and a fax machine to correspond with law enforcement in a manner that implied that her complaint was related to official agency business or concerns. Initial Order following a Brief Adjudicative Proceeding issued on July 7, 2004 for a Civil penalty in the amount of $25 and $75 for investigative costs. 2002-47 Department of Social and Health Services employee used state computer to access his home business and adult-oriented websites. Settlement approved on September 12, 2003 for a Civil penalty in the amount of $750 with $250 suspended. 2002-44 Sentencing Guidelines Commission employee used state resources to access Internet sites regarding personal issues such as genealogy, high school classmates, department stores, movies, television, trivia, hairstyles and pet supplies. In addition, with the knowledge of her supervisor, the state employee e-mailed her coworkers lists of trivia questions to answer. Settlement approved on April 9, 2004 for a Civil penalty in the amount of $500. The Board also issued a Letter of Reprimand. 2002-43 Sentencing Guidelines Commission employee used state computer to record over 3,100 personal checking and savings transactions; log details of more than 400 purchases, financing and maintenance of his vehicle; composed personal advertisments listing work phone number and composed personal letters; sent jokes to coworkers via email and accessed Internet sites relating to baseball and hunting. Settlement approved on February 13, 2004 for a Civil penalty in the amount of $250 and an additional $250 for investigative costs. 2002-42 Superintendent of Public Instruction employee purchased stock in Scientific Learning Corporation's while her agency transacted state business with the firm. Settlement approved on April 9, 2004 for a Civil penalty in the amount of $1,000. This amount includes $125 for investigative costs. 2002-039 Pollution Liability Insurance Agency employee allowed employees to use state vehicle for personal commuting and accepted a gift from a vendor while negotiating a contract. Settlement approved on June 10, 2005 for a Civil penalty in the amount of $5,000. 2002-38 Pollution Liability Insurance Agency employee accepted gifts from a person(s) with whom the agency contracts. Settlement approved on April 9, 2004 for a Civil penalty in the amount of $1,000. 2002-36 Department of Social and Health Services employee may have released unauthorized, confidential client information to a private investigative agency owned by a sibling. The employee and the Board agree that he violated RCW 42.52.120 and agency policy when he accepted employment as a private investigator and did not obtain agency approval of this employment. The Board further concluded that the he violated RCW 42.52.050(1) because his employment as a private investigator might reasonably have required or induced him to make unauthorized disclosure(s) of confidential information. Settlement approved on April 9, 2004 for a Civil penalty in the amount of $5,000. The Board also issued a Letter of Reprimand. 2002-35 Pollution Liability Insurance Agency employee used his state computer and computers assigned to other agency employees to access adult-oriented web sites, play fantasy football and other games, and chat online. Settlement approved on April 9, 2004 for a Civil penalty in the amount of $1,000 with $500 suspended. 2002-14 Department of Social and Health Services employee sent or received 41 personal emails during a 90-day period. The emails were not brief. Settlement approved on January 12, 2004 for a Civil penalty in the amount of $300 with $300 suspended. 2002-012 Sentencing Guidelines Commission employee used state SCAN system and computer for personal purposes, sent employees on personal errands. Settlement approved on July 8, 2005 for a Civil penalty in the amount of $3,500 with $1,000 suspended. 2002-09 Central Washington University employee used state resources to draft a letter to members of congress regarding his campaign and loan forgiveness, sent over 2,200 emails regarding loan forgiveness and initiated a lobbying campaign to enact federal legislation to forgive student loans for TRIO employees. Settlement approved on September 13, 2002 for a Civil penalty in the amount of $1,500 with $1,000 suspended. 2002-03 Department of Corrections employee used his position to secure special privileges and exemptions by using inmates and facilities to perform work in support of a non-profit entity of which he was the director. Settlement approved on February 13, 2003 for a Civil penalty in the amount of $500 with $250 suspended and $250 for investigative costs. 2002-01 University of Washington Assistant Dean used a state computer to support a private nonprofit business, without receiving prior agency approval. Settlement approved on October 10, 2003 for a Civil penalty in the amount of $250 with $250 suspended, employee to receive a Letter of Instruction from the Board, and pay restitution to employing agency $100 for investigative costs. 2001-110 Washington State Patrol employee misued SCAN and cellular telephone. Settlement approved on June 10, 2005 for a Civil penalty in the amount of $750 with $250 suspended. 2001-102 Washington State Attorney General's Office had not implemented a policy which would prevent conflicts of interests from occuring when senior agency officers make requests for defense and indemnification. Settlement approved on September 27, 2002 with no penalties assessed. Agency created and implemented an appropriate policy. 2001-101 Washington State Attorney General's Office had not implemented a policy which would prevent conflicts of interests from occurring when senior agency officers make requests for defense and indemnification. Settlement approved on September 27, 2002 with no penalties assessed. Agency created and implemented an appropriate policy. 2001-91 Western Washington University employee used state resources to send and receive over 127 emails regarding his campaign for Port Commissioner and used state resources to support his private consulting business. Settlement approved on October 11, 2002 for a Civil penalty in the amount of $7,500 with $2,500 suspended. 2001-90 Western Washington University employee used state resources to send and receive email messages regarding a political campaign. Settlement approved on September 13, 2002 for a Civil penalty in the amount of $750 with $500 suspended. 2001-84 A former Department of Transportation employee used state resources, including facilities, tools, and equipment to store and work on privately owned vehicles; used a state owned vehicle, computer and cell phone for personal gain. Settlement approved on September 12, 2003 for a Civil penalty in the amount of $2,500 with $1,000 suspended and an additional $463.68 restitution employing agency. 2001-82 Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction employee participated in personal service contracts with a vendor that the former employee had an outside business relationship with. Settlement approved on 04-12-02 for a Civil penalty in the amount of $10,000 with $5,000 suspended and reimbursement of investigative costs in the amount of $5000. In addition, the vendor to make a $20,000 contribution to the employee's state agency. 2001-80 Lower Columbia College employee used student labor and college furnsihed parts to rebuild motor vehicle parts for personal benefit and the benefit of others. Settlement approved on May 9, 2003 for a Civil penalty in the amount of $750 with $250 suspended. 2001-58 through 76 (except 2001-63 and 68) Faculty at Community Colleges of Spokane sent emails to a State Representative advocating support for better teacher salaries. Settlements approved between September, 2002 and January, 2003 with penalties including Letters of Instruction from the Board, $25 and $50 civil penalties, depending on the size and number of e-mail's sent by individual faculty members. 2001-57 Yakima Valley Community college Auto Department Program Manager allowed family members to repair their personal cars through the college's auto shop, purchased parts for a family member using the college account and used the college auto shop to repair his own personal vehicle. Settlement approved on November 8, 2002 for a Civil penalty in the amount of $500 with $250 suspended. 2001-055 Former Assistant Director of the Washington State Governor's Office of Indian Affairs engaged in a contract that fell within her official duties and used state resources to implement the contract. Settlement approved on March 11, 2005 for a Civil penalty in the amount of $500 and an additional $775 reimbursment to agency. 2001-51 Washington State Lottery employee purchased tickets to sports events and a concert from the Lottery's advertising contractor. Settlement approved on January 10, 2003. Board issued a Letter of Instruction. 2001-49 Washington State Historical Society curator was also working as a private contractor offering professional advice related to her state work and encountered difficulty receiving payment for services rendered. The employee sent a demand payment letter to the private contractor and signed the letter using their official state title. Settlement approved on June 6, 2003. Board issued a Letter of Reprimand. 2001-31 Employment Security Department employee allowed household members to use a state provided computer for personal reasons. Settlement approved on February 14, 2003 for a Civil penalty in the amount of $250 with $150 suspended. 2001-25 Department of Corrections employee authorized the parking of agency employees' private vehicles in parking spaced leased by the agency for their agency owned vehicles. Settlement approved on May 9, 2003. Board issued a Letter of Instruction. 2001-23 Shoreline Community College President participated in the formation, negotiation or awarding of personal service contracts with a private consultant and subsequently awarded the private consultant a contract. In addition, he subsequently accepted an offer of employment with the private consultant. Settlement approved on April 11, 2003 for a Civil penalty in the amount of $30,000 with $20,000 suspended and and additional $10,000 for reimbursement of investigative costs. 2001-22 University of Washington employee used state resources to send or receive approximately 6,900 personal email messages and used state resources to support a private business. Settlement approved on January 10, 2003 for a Civil penalty in the amount of $7,500 with $2,500 suspended. 2001-21 Shoreline Community College employee used a state provided computer to access multiple web sites to research stock prices and to obtain investment news. Settlement approved on April 11, 2003 for a Civil penalty in the amount of $500 with $250 suspended. 2001-14 University of Washington employee sent and received 135 personal email messages using her state provided computer. Settlement approved on May 9, 2003 for a Civil penalty in the amount of $150 with $150 suspended; $75 restitution to employing agency; and reimbursement of investigative costs in the amount of $75. 2001-13 Former Department of Retirement Systems (DRS) employee used personal information about state employees gained through his employment with DRS to solicit business for himself. Settlement approved on September 12, 2003 for a Civil penalty in the amount of $1,500 with $750 suspended. 2001-12 Washington State Patrol Trooper carried on a personal relationship with a woman while on duty and allowed this woman to accompany him in his patrol car and had sexual relations with her while he was on duty in WSP offices. Settlement approved on July 26, 2002 for a Civil penalty in the amount of $5,000. 2001-09 Department of Social and Health Services employee received $2,750 in compensation for five speaking presentations from a pharmaceutical company that engages in business with his state employer. Settlement approved on February 13, 2004 for a Civil penalty in the amount of $750 with $250 suspended and an additional $500 in investigative costs . 2001-08 University of Washington President used money under his control from the 1999 Holiday Bowl and the 2001 Rose Bowl for the private benefit or gain of another. Settlement approved on December 14, 2001 for reimbursement of investigative costs in the amount of $7,500. 2001-07 University of Washington Athletic Director used money under her control from the 1999 Holiday Bowl and the 2001 Rose Bowl for her own private benefit or gain of another. Settlement approved on December 14, 2001 for reimbursement of investigative costs in the amount of $1,000. 2001-06 Department of Transporation employee used state resources to send or receive email and repeatedly visited websites unrelated to his official duties. Inappropriate use continued after being directed by the agency to stop such conduct. Settlement approved on November 8, 2002 for a Civil penalty in the amount of $2,500 with $1,400 suspended. 2001-05 Department of Transportation, Washington State Ferries employee improperly received higher wages when he submitted signed timesheets claiming captain's wages while at the same time signing the vessel logs as a mate. Settlement approved on November 21, 2003 for reimbursement of investigative costs in the amount of $250 and and additional $1,500 restitution to employing agency for overpaid wages. 2001-02 Department of Transportation, Washington State Ferries employee approved vendor payments on a number of billings while the employee and the vendor were engaged in a business relationship. Settlement approved on September 14, 2002 for a Civil penalty in the amount of $1,500 and an additional $1,000 for reimbursement of investigative costs. 2001-01 Employment Security Department employee accepted a $100 gift from a vendor he had a contract with through a state agency. Settlement approved on September 13, 2002 for a Civil penalty in the amount of $250 with $250 suspended. 2000-36 Washington State Attorney General's Office employee used state property under her official control for her private benefit to pursue a private legal matter. Final Order issued on October 10, 2003 for a Civil penalty in the amount of $3,500 and an addition $1,500 for investigative costs. 2000-35 Green River Community College employee used state resources to conduct a personal business involving the sale of ceramic products on E-bay. Settlement approved on February 14, 2003 for a Civil penalty in the amount of $300 with $150 suspended. 2000-33 Washington State Secretary of State approved an agreement which allowed photographs and photo credit statements from a candidate for a county public office appear on a state funded Voters Pamphlet. Settlement approved on November 17, 2000 for reimbursement of investigative costs in the amount of $500. 2000-32 Washington State Treasurer knowlingly sent an email supporting his campaign for reelection from his home computer to at lease 7 state employees, thus using state facilities for political purposes. Settlement approved on January 11, 2001 for a Civil penalty in the amount of $1,200. 2000-29 Department of Information Services employee used state resources over a 32 month period to send or receive 803 email messages that were not related to his official duties. Settlement approved on June 8, 2001 for a Civil penalty in the amount of $1,500 with $750 suspended. 2000-28 Department of Social and Health Services employee used state resources to review websites including Dow Jones charts, stockbrokers, sports, news and retail stores. Settlement approved on November 8, 2002 for a Civil penalty in the amount of $1,000 with $500 suspended. 2000-13 Former Office of the Insurance Commissioner employee used state facilities to assist in a campaign and solicited signatures of other employees during working hours. Settlement approved on July 28, 2000 for a Civil penalty in the amount of $1,500. 2000-12 Department of Transporation Aviation Director sent personal email messages and created personal documents using state owned equipment. Settlement approved on November 30, 2000 f or a Civil penalty in the amount of $250. 2000-09 South Seattle Community College automotive program instructor reclaimed her personal vehicle prior to paying for repairs and then did not pay for the repairs for another six months. Settlement approved on September 14, 2001 for a Civil penalty in the amount of $200 with $100 suspended. 2000-05 Former Department of Social and Health Services employee sent an email to over 23,000 agency staff on his last day of employment promoting his outside business. Administrative Law Judge issued a Civil penalty in the amount of $200 on March 7, 2000 . 2000-04 Former Employment Security Department employee used state owned equipment to support his outside employment and used several hours of state paid time to work on documents related to the outside employment. Settlement approved on June 8, 2001 for a Civil penalty in the amount of $1,000 with $500 suspended. 1999-44 Former Employment Security Department supervisor and her spouse entered into a real estate contract with a subordinate she supervised. Settlement approved on July 13, 2001 for a Civil penalty in the amount of $1,000 with $500 suspended. 1999-41 Department of Natural Resources employee used a state vehicle to communte to and from his home and the work site. He also used agency staff and a state vehicle to transport waste wood from the work site to his home for the benefit of several charities. He also directed a crew supervisor to have a ten person inmate crew build a horse trail on private property for the benefit of the private owner. Settlement approved on January 11, 2001 for a Civil penalty in the amount of $400 and an additional $1,000 restitution to the agency. 1999-39 Former University of Washington employee accepted gifts from a vendor with whom he conducted state business; used his state provided computer to spend approximately 2 hours per week over a three month period to view websites that contained adult oriented material and used his state computer to send over 470 personal email messages. Board issued a Brief Adjudicative Hearing Initial Order on November 8, 2002 for respondent to pay a civil penalty in the amount of $200, and an additional $300 for investigative costs. 1999-32 Employment Security Department employee accessed over 1,400 adult advertisements with images off the Internet and stored on his state owned computer. Settlement approved on February 9, 2001 for a Civil penalty in the amount of $5,800 with $2,800 suspended. 1999-27 Department of Labor and Industries supervisor participated in a safety inspection of a private company which was cited then later assisted the company in resolving the citiation. Settlement approved on 04-12-02 for a Civil penalty in the amount of $250 with $250 suspended and an additional $250 for investigative costs. 1999-25 Department of Transportation employee used persons and state resources under his control to perform work for a private school that his daughter attended. This included the use of seven crew members, telephone poles and other supplies, equipment and vehicles unrelated to his official duties. Order of Reconsideration issued on June 8, 2001 for a Civil penalty in the amount of $4,000. 1999-17 University of Washington Athletic Director approved contracts and outside compensation for two University football coaches and agreed that the college would pay investigative costs associated with an ethics complaint against one of the coaches. Settlement approved on September 14, 2001 for a Civil penalty in the amount of $2,500. 1999-15 Department of Health employee used state resources to send a two-page email message relating to a House Bill that was not related to his official duties. The email was sent in response to a private citizen and copied 16 other government officials and members of the State Legislature. Settlement approved on November 12, 1999 for a Civil penalty in the amount of $100. 1999-14 Edmonds Community College employee improperly scheduled the use of state resources for his spouse's business, sent an invoice on agency letterhead to a private company on behalf of his spouse's business and continuted to allow his spouse to rent state facilities at a reduced rate that was unavailable to the public. Settlement approved on June 8, 2001 for a Civil penalty in the amount of $4,000 with $1,500 suspended and an additional $4,000 charitable contribution to a scholarship fund at the College. 1999-13 Edmonds Community College employee unintentially allowed a private citizen to rent state facilities at a reduced rate which was unavailable to the general public and allowed the same private citizen to use state supplies at no cost. Settlement approved on April 20, 2001 for a Civil penalty in the amount of $3,000 with $1,000 suspended. 1999-12 Edmonds Community College employee secured a special privilege for the spouse of her supervisor by using the agency's vendor accounts for the spouse's private enterprise. Settlement approved on April 20, 2001 for a Civil penalty in the amount of $1,000 with $500 suspended. 1999-11 Shoreline Community College employee improperly used the agency's purchasing account to purchase automotive parts for personal and family use. Employee reimbursed the agency for the value of the purchases at the end of the fiscal year. Settlement approved on June 16, 2000 for a Civil penalty in the amount of $250. 1999-08 University of Washington Chief of Police, provided football passes to family members. Total value of tickets equal $230. Settlement approved on January 7, 2000 for a Civil penalty in the amount of $50 and $230 restitution to the College. 1999-02 Former Everett Community College employee used state resources to send or receive personal email communications relating to an outside business and accessed the Internet on numerous occasions for purposes unrelated to official duties. Settlement approved on June 11, 1999 for a Civil penalty in the amount of $500. 1999-01 Department of Transportation employee used state resources to create personal documents relating to an ice skating organization she was affiliatied with, to draft personal financial reports, loan amortization documents, party announcements and freelance stories from a TV series. Settlement approved on September 16, 1999 for a Civil penalty in the amount of $3,000. 1998-26 Department of Revenue Policy and Operations Manager used state resources to partially prepare and email two documents relating to a private quiet title action and used the SCAN system for several personal calls (that were reimbursed, a practice allowed by the supervisor). Settlement approved on September 30, 1999 . Board issued a Letter of Direction. 1998-22 Former Liquor Control Board employee added an ineligible person designated as a spouse to medical and dental plans totaling $1,575.06 in premiums paid by the state and received $19,800.80 in medical and dental benefits. Settlement approved on November 12, 1999 with a Civil penalty in the amount of $250 and an additional $1,575 restitution to the agency. 1998-17 Retired Military Department Adjutant General unknowingly signed a contract for the agency to conduct business with a company that the state employee was a member of. Settlement approved on November 17, 2000 for a Civil penalty in the amount of $1,000.