WASHINGTON STATE
EXECUTIVE ETHICS BOARD
Via Zoom
March 10, 2023
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 Battan at 9:01 a.m. In attendance were Vice Chair Jan Jutte and Members
Kelli Hooke and Megan Abel. Member Key was absent. Board staff in attendance
included: Assistant Attorney General Leo
Roinila, Assistant Attorney General Julia Eisentrout, Administrative Officer
Ruthann Bryant and Investigators Bobby Frye and Justin Cotte.
Chair Battan introduced and welcomed new member Megan Abel to fill
the classified state employee position. Member Abel provided a brief background
and added that she is delighted to serve on the Board.
2. Approval of Agenda
The
Board moved Election of Officers to follow Enforcement Matters.
Motion 23-027 Moved by Vice Chair Jutte,
seconded by Member Hooke:
The Board approved the March
10, 2023 agenda as amended.
The motion passed unanimously.
3. Approval of the January 13, 2023 Meeting Minutes
Motion 23-028 Moved by Vice Chair Jutte,
seconded by Member Hooke:
The Board approved the January 13, 2023 minutes as presented.
The motion passed
unanimously.
B. Enforcement Matters
Motions for Summary Judgment
EEB Case 2022-012 Alfred
Smack
Administrative
Law Judge Martin presided over oral argument on a Motion for Summary Judgment regarding
EEB Case 2022-012 Alfred Smack.
A
written order will be issued in the matter.
Stipulations
EEB
Case 2022-021 (Egbert)
Investigator Bobby Frye briefed the Board
on a proposed Stipulation and Order in the matter of Katie Egbert, Social Services Specialist 3 with the
Department of Children, Youth, and Families. Ms. Egbert agreed that they may
have violated the Ethics in Public Service Act by conducting activities that
were incompatible with official duties and using state resources for personal
benefit or gain. The proposed Stipulation and Order imposes a civil penalty of
$350.
EEB Case 2022-027 (Afroze)
Investigator Bobby
Frye also briefed the Board on a proposed Stipulation and Order in the matter
of Rimi Afroze, Provider Network
Capacity Program Manager at the Home and Community Services Division with the
Department of Social and Health Services. Ms. Afroze agreed that they may have
violated the Ethics in Public Service Act by conducting activities that were
incompatible with official duties and using state resources for private benefit
or gain. The proposed Stipulation and Order imposes a civil penalty of $2,500
with $1,000 suspended.
EEB Case 2022-031 (Blake)
Investigator Bobby
Frye also briefed the Board on a proposed Stipulation and Order in the matter
of Michelle Blake, former WorkSource Specialist 4 with
the Employment Security Department. Ms. Blake agreed that they may have
violated the Ethics in Public Service Act by using state resources for private
benefit or gain and accessing confidential information for non-work related
purposes. The Stipulation and Order imposes a civil penalty of $3,500 with
$1,000 suspended.
The Board deferred action on the enforcement matters until after
their closed session.
C. Election of Officers
Motion 23-029 Moved by Chair Battan,
seconded by Member Hooke:
The Board elects
Jan Jutte as Chair effective March 13, 2023.
The motion passed unanimously.
Motion 23-030 Moved by Chair Battan,
seconded by Vice Chair Jutte:
The Board elects
Kelli Hooke as Vice Chair effective March 13, 2023.
The motion passed unanimously.
D. Staff Reports
No
staff reports were given.
E. Public Comment/Board Member
Comment
No
public or Board Member comments were given
F. Closed Session
At 9:30
a.m. the Board moved into Closed Session.
At 10:51 p.m. the Board returned to regular session and reported
the following:
Motion 23-031 Moved by Vice Chair Jutte,
seconded by Member Hooke:
The Board approved the
Stipulated Facts, Conclusions of Law and Agreed Order imposing a civil penalty
of $350 in EEB Case 2022-021 Katie Egbert.
The motion passed unanimously.
Motion 23-032 Moved by Chair Battan,
seconded by Vice Chair Jutte:
The Board approved the
Stipulated Facts, Conclusions of Law and Agreed Order imposing a civil penalty
of $2,500 with $1,000 suspended in EEB Case 2022-027 Rimi Afroze.
The motion passed unanimously.
Motion 23-033 Moved by Member Hooke,
seconded by Chair Battan:
The Board approved the
Stipulated Facts, Conclusions of Law and Agreed Order imposing a civil penalty
of $3,500 with $1,000 suspended in EEB Case 2022-031 Michelle Blake.
The motion passed unanimously.
Motion 23-034 Moved by Member Hooke,
seconded by Vice Chair Jutte:
The Board found Reasonable Cause
over $500 in EEB Case 2021-035 Mike Culley.
The motion passed unanimously.
Motion 23-035 Moved by Vice Chair Jutte,
seconded by Member Hooke:
The Board found Reasonable
Cause over $500 in EEB Case 2022-037 Laura Houde.
The motion passed unanimously.
Motion 23-036 Moved by Vice Chair Jutte,
seconded by Chair Battan:
The Board found Reasonable
Cause less than $500 in EEB Case 2022-038 SeanPierre Adams.
The motion passed unanimously.
Motion 23-037 Moved by Vice Chair Jutte,
seconded by Chair Battan:
The Board determined that the
complaint is unfounded and dismissed EEB Case 2022-039 Jay Inslee.
The motion passed unanimously.
Motion 23-038 Moved by Member Hooke,
seconded by Vice Chair Jutte:
The Board found Reasonable
Cause over $500 in EEB Case 2022-040 Jessica Wilks.
The motion passed unanimously.
Motion 23-039 Moved by Member Abel,
seconded by Chair Battan:
The Board found Reasonable
Cause over $500 in EEB Case 2022-044 Mike Stanford.
The motion passed unanimously.
Motion 23-040 Moved by Chair Battan,
seconded by Vice Chair Jutte:
The Board found Reasonable
Cause over $500 in EEB Case 2022-047 Amy Hagopian.
The motion passed unanimously.
Motion 23-041 Moved by Chair Battan,
seconded by Member Abel:
The Board issued a Motion
for Default in EEB Case 2022-015 Jasmine
Hansel.
The motion passed unanimously.
G. Miscellaneous Matters/Adjournment
There
were no miscellaneous matters and the meeting was adjourned at 11:00 a.m.
Approved by the Board 5/12/2023