WASHINGTON STATE
EXECUTIVE ETHICS BOARD
March 8, 2024
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 Chair Jutte at 9:03 a.m. In attendance were Vice Chair Kelli Hooke and
Member Megan Abel. Board staff in attendance included: Executive Director Kate Reynolds, Assistant
Attorney General Julia Eisentrout, Assistant Attorney General Eric Allen, and Administrative
Officer Ruthann Bryant.
2. Approval of Agenda
Motion 24-001 Moved by Vice Chair Hooke,
seconded by Chair Jutte:
The Board approved the March
8, 2024 agenda as presented.
The motion passed unanimously.
3. Approval of the November 17, 2023 Meeting Minutes
Motion 24-002 Moved by Chair Jutte,
seconded by Vice Chair Hooke:
The Board approved the September 8, 2023 minutes as presented.
The motion passed
unanimously.
B. Enforcement Matters
Stipulations
EEB
Case 2022-066 (Long)
Administrative Officer Ruthann Bryant
briefed the Board on a proposed Stipulation and Order in the matter of Shawn
Long, Correctional Lieutenant with the Department of Corrections. Shawn Long agreed that they may have violated
the Ethics in Public Service Act by using state resources for private benefit
or gain.
Evidence indicated that Shawn Long
extensively browsed the internet, visiting sites including YouTube, Amazon,
ESPN and social media sites. Evidence also found that Shawn Long submitted
overtime requests on several days that the investigation revealed they were
spending time on the internet for personal use.
The proposed Stipulation and Order
imposes a civil penalty of $6,000 with $1,000 suspended.
EEB Case 2023-026 (Gomez-Castillo)
Administrative
Officer Ruthann Bryant briefed the Board on a proposed Stipulation and Order in
the matter of Vanessa Gomez-Castillo,
an Office Assistant 3 with the Department of Corrections. Vanessa
Gomez-Castillo agreed that they may have violated the Ethics in Public Service
Act by using state resources for private benefit or gain. Evidence indicated
Vanessa Gomez-Castillo used their state computer to browse the internet
including travel, real estate, social media and shopping websites. The proposed Stipulation and Order
imposes a civil penalty of $5,500 with $1,000 suspended.
EEB Case 2023-035 (Ahmann)
Administrative
Officer Ruthann Bryant also briefed the Board on a proposed Stipulation and Order
in the matter of Bobbi Ahmann, a
Brand Inspector 1 with the Department of Agriculture. Bobby Ahmann agreed that
they may have violated the Ethics in Public Service Act by using state
resources for personal benefit. Evidence indicated that Bobby Ahmann used their
state issued MiFi device for personal use, resulting in a high amount of data
used. The Stipulation and Order imposes a
civil penalty of $3,000 with $1,000 suspended.
EEB Case 2023-039 (Payne)
Assistant Attorney
General Julia Eisentrout briefed the Board on a proposed Stipulation and Order
in the matter of Jessica Payne, a Communications Consultant 5 with the Health
Care Authority. Jessica Payne agreed that they may have violated the Ethics in
Public Service Act by using state resources for private benefit and gain.
Evidence indicated that Jessica Payne used the state electric vehicle charging
station overnight on three different occasions to charge their personal
vehicle. The Stipulation and Order imposes a civil penalty of $2,000 with $750
suspended.
Executive Director Dismissal
Kate Reynolds
summarized one Executive Director Dismissal: EEB Case 2023-018 (Krause).
The Board deferred action on the enforcement matters until after
their closed session.
C. Policy Reviews
Administrative Officer Ruthann Bryant presented
the Department of Corrections Employee Line of Duty Death or Life-Threatening
Injury policy. This is an extensive policy covering all aspects of process and
procedures when a Department of Corrections employee experiences a life
threatening injury or line of duty death. They noted the policy was approved
on May 12, 2023, and since then Department of Corrections made changes to
requiring the Board’s review. Staff recommended approval.
Motion 24-003 Moved by Vice Chair Hooke,
seconded by Chair Jutte:
The Board
approved the Department of Corrections Employee Line of Duty Death or
Life-Threatening Injury policy, as presented.
The motion passed
unanimously.
D. Staff Reports
Kate
Reynolds briefly summarized Legislation that may have an effect on the Ethics
in Public Service Act.
E. Public Comment/Board Member Comment
No
public or Board Member comments were given.
F. Closed Session
At 9:23
am the Board moved into Closed Session.
At 10:15 am the Board returned to regular session and reported the
following:
Motion 24-004 Moved by Vice Chair Hooke,
seconded by Chair Jutte:
The Board approved the Stipulated
Facts, Conclusions of Law and Agreed Order in EEB Case 2022-066 Shawn Long, imposing
a civil penalty of $6,000 with $1,000 suspended.
The motion passed unanimously.
Motion 24-005 Moved by Chair Jutte,
seconded by Vice Chair Hooke:
The Board approved the
Stipulated Facts, Conclusions of Law and Agreed Order in EEB Case 2023-026
Vanessa Gomez-Castillo, imposing a civil penalty of $5,500 with $1,000
suspended.
The motion passed unanimously.
Motion 24-006 Moved by Member Abel,
seconded by Chair Jutte:
The Board approved the
Stipulated Facts, Conclusions of Law and Agreed Order in EEB Case 2023-035
Bobby Ahmann, imposing a civil penalty of $3,000 with $1,000 suspended.
The motion passed unanimously.
Motion 24-007 Moved by Vice Chair Hooke,
seconded by Chair Jutte:
The Board approved the
Stipulated Facts, Conclusions of Law and Agreed Order in EEB Case 2023-039
Jessica Payne, imposing a civil penalty of $2,000 with $750 suspended.
The motion passed unanimously.
Motion 24-008 Moved by Vice Chair Hooke,
seconded by Chair Jutte:
The Board found Reasonable
Cause over $500 in EEB Case 2023-016 Paul McDole.
The motion passed unanimously.
Motion 24-009 Moved by Chair Jutte,
seconded by Vice Chair Hooke:
The Board found Reasonable
Cause over $500 in EEB Case 2023-017 Chris Malone.
The motion passed unanimously.
Motion 24-010 Moved by Member Abel,
seconded by Vice Chair Hooke:
The Board found Reasonable
Cause over $500 in EEB Case 2023-025/2023-046 Jeffrey Larsen.
The motion passed unanimously.
Motion 24-011 Moved by Vice Chair Hooke,
seconded by Chair Jutte:
The Board determined that any
violation that may have occurred does not constitute a material violation
because it was inadvertent and minor, or has been cured and
dismissed the following:
·
EEB Case 2023-029 Susan
Hoppe
·
EEB Case 2023-030 Kimberly
Bills
·
EEB Case 2023-031 Lisa
Fortson
·
EEB Case 2023-032 Diane
Follett
The motion passed unanimously.
Motion 24-012 Moved by Chair Jutte,
seconded by Member Abel:
The Board found Reasonable
Cause over $500 in EEB Case 2023-037 Greg Buikema.
Voting For: Chair Jutte and Member Abel
Abstain: Vice Chair Hooke
The motion passed.
Motion 24-013 Moved by Member Abel,
seconded by Chair Jutte:
The Board
determined the complaints were unfounded and dismissed EEB Case 2023-047 Chad Unland and EEB Case 2023-048 Todd Welker.
The motion passed unanimously.
Motion 24-014 Moved by Chair Jutte,
seconded by Member Abel:
The Board affirmed the
Executive Director Dismissal in EEB Case 2023-041 Josh Clearman.
The motion passed unanimously.
Motion 24-015 Moved by Member Abel,
seconded by Chair Jutte:
The Board issued Motions for
Default in the following:
·
EEB Case 2023-014 Jacqueline
McHale
·
EEB Case 2023-023 Jennifer
McMillan
·
EEB Case 2023-027 Sumer
Keith
·
EEB Case 2023-043 Kimberly
Black
The motion passed unanimously.
G. Miscellaneous Matters/Adjournment
There
were no miscellaneous matters and the meeting was adjourned at 10:24 a.m.
Approved by the Board 5/10/2024