WASHINGTON STATE

 EXECUTIVE ETHICS BOARD

2425 Bristol Court SW– 4th Floor Conference Room – Olympia, WA

January 11, 2019

Regular Meeting Minutes

 

 

A.    Preliminary Business

1.     Roll Call

The regular meeting of the Washington State Executive Ethics Board (Board) was called to order by Vice Chair Battan at 9:03 a.m.  In attendance were Members Anna Dudek Ross and Gerri Davis. Chair John Ladenburg and Member Lisa Marsh were absent. Board staff in attendance included:  Executive Director Kate Reynolds, Sr. Assistant Attorney General Bruce Turcott, Assistant Attorney General Chad Standifer, Investigators David Killeen and Bobby Frye and Administrative Officer Ruthann Bryant.

 

2.     Approval of Agenda

Ruthann Bryant noted that the agenda had been updated to include two additional stipulations and a policy review request.

 

Motion 19-001 Moved by Member Davis, seconded by Member Dudek Ross:

 

The Board approves the January 11, 2019 agenda as revised.

 

The motion passed unanimously.

 

3.     Approval of the November 9, 2018 Meeting Minutes

       

Motion 19-002 Moved by Member Davis, seconded by Member Dudek Ross:

 

The Board approves the November 9, 2018 minutes as presented.

 

The motion passed unanimously.

 

B.    Enforcement Matters

Stipulations

EEB Case No. 2018-002 (Duncan)

Senior Investigator David Killeen briefed the Board on a proposed stipulation and order in the matter of James Duncan.  Mr. Duncan agreed that he may have violated the Ethics in Public Service Act when he took time off from work without submitting the proper leave slips. The Stipulation imposes a penalty of $1,500 with $500 suspended.

EEB Case No. 2018-027 (McKenzie)

Investigator Bobby Frye briefed the Board on a proposed stipulation and order in the matter of Perry McKenzie. Mr. McKenzie agreed that he may have violated the Ethics in Public Service Act by participating in outside employment with a business he had regulatory and compliance responsibilities over. The Stipulation imposes a penalty of $2,000 with $500 suspended.

EEB Case No. 2018-028 (Jones)

Mr. Frye also briefed the Board on a proposed stipulation and order in the matter of Michael Jones. Mr. Jones agreed that he may have violated the Ethics in Public Service Act by participating in outside employment with a business he had regulatory and compliance responsibilities over. The Stipulation imposes a penalty of $2,000 with $500 suspended.

EEB Case No. 2018-038 (Rogers)

Mr. Killeen briefed the Board on a proposed stipulation and order in the matter of Debbie Rogers. Ms. Rogers agreed that she may have violated the Ethics in Public Service Act when she used state parking to park her personal vehicle while on a two-week vacation. The Stipulation imposes a penalty of $300.

EEB Case No. 2018-040 (Joudrey)

Mr. Killeen also briefed the Board on a proposed stipulation and order in the matter of Jonathan Joudrey.  Mr. Joudrey agreed that he may have violated the Ethics in Public Service Act when he hired a client of Employment Security to work in his outside business. The Stipulation imposes a penalty of $2,000 with $500 suspended.

Executive Director Dismissals

Kate Reynolds summarized three Executive Director Dismissals: EEB Case 2018-046 Rod Coberly, EEB Case 2018-047 Crystal Wargo and EEB Case 2018-057 Lisa Reese.

The Board deferred action on the enforcement matters until after their closed session.

 

C.    Policy Reviews

Ruthann Bryant presented an Office of the Attorney General Use of State Resources policy and recommended approval.

 

AAG Bruce Turcott requested a minor amendment for clarification within number three on page four under “Use for Legal Services Outreach, Volunteering, and Various Bar Association Events.”

 

Motion 19-005: Moved by Member Davis, seconded by Member Dudek Ross:

The Board approved the Office of the Attorney General’s Use of State Resources Policy as amended.

 

The motion passed unanimously.

 

D.    Staff Reports

Kate Reynolds reported that the Board will not have a February hearing and she noted that the Legislative session begins on January 14.  She will be monitoring bills that may have an impact on the Ethics in Public Service Act.

Senior Assistant Attorney General Bruce Turcott reported that he also monitors bills and with work with Kate throughout the long session.

Assistant Attorney General Chad Standifer noted that the Board currently has a March 7 hearing scheduled and may have a Motion for Summary Judgment on March 8.

Public Comment/Board Member Comment

Ethics Advisor Clarice Nnanabu with the Liquor and Cannabis Board thanked the Board and staff for the work that they do.

E.    Closed Session

At  9:18 a.m. the Board moved into Closed Session. 

At 10:10 a.m. the Board returned to regular session and reported the following:

 

Motion 19-006 Moved by Member Davis, seconded by Member Dudek Ross:

 

The Board approves the following Stipulated Facts, Conclusions of Law and Agreed Orders as presented:

 

·       EEB Case 2018-002 James Duncan

·       EEB Case 2018-027 Perry McKenzie

·       EEB Case 2018-028 Michael Jones

·       EEB Case 2018-038 Debbie Rogers

·       EEB Case 2018-040 Jonathan Joudrey

 

The motion passed unanimously.

 

Motion 19-007 Moved by Member Davis, seconded by Member Dudek Ross:

 

The Board finds Reasonable Cause over $500 in EEB Case 2018-006 Ebrima Jarju.

 

The motion passed unanimously.

 

Motion 19-008 Moved by Member Davis, seconded by Member Dudek Ross:

 

The Board finds Reasonable Cause over $500 in EEB Case 2018-009 Norman LeBlanc.

 

The motion passed unanimously.

 

Motion 19-009 Moved by Member Davis, seconded by Member Battan:

 

The Board finds Reasonable Cause over $500 in EEB Case 2018-015 Melisa Williams.

 

The motion passed unanimously.

 

Motion 19-010 Moved by Member Davis, seconded by Member Battan:

 

The Board Dismissed as inadvertent and minor or has been cured, EEB Case 2018-016 Elaine Garrison.

 

The motion passed unanimously.

 

Motion 19-011 Moved by Member Davis, seconded by Member Battan:

 

The Board Dismissed as inadvertent and minor or has been cured, EEB Case 2018-019 Maria Goff.

 

The motion passed unanimously.

 

Motion 19-012 Moved by Member Davis, seconded by Member Battan:

 

The Board finds Reasonable Cause over $500 in EEB Case 2018-022 Ray White.

 

The motion passed unanimously.

 

Motion 19-013 Moved by Member Davis, seconded by Member Battan:

 

The Board finds Reasonable Cause over $500 in EEB Case 2018-023 Gloria Ponce.

 

The motion passed unanimously.

 

Motion 19-014 Moved by Member Davis, seconded by Member Battan:

 

The Board Dismissed as inadvertent and minor or has been cured, EEB Case 2018-025 Patricia Turner.

 

The motion passed unanimously.

 

Motion 19-015 Moved by Member Davis, seconded by Member Battan:

 

The Board finds Reasonable Cause over $500 in EEB Case 2018-036 Kris Budde.

 

The motion passed unanimously.

 

Motion 19-016 Moved by Member Davis, seconded by Member Battan:

 

The Board finds Reasonable Cause over $500 in EEB Case 2018-045 Stefanie Karney.

 

The motion passed unanimously.

 

F.    Miscellaneous Matters/Adjournment

There being no miscellaneous matters, the meeting was adjourned at 10:17 a.m.

 

Approved by the Board 3/8/19