WASHINGTON STATE
EXECUTIVE ETHICS BOARD
March 13, 2026
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 Megan Abel at 9:00 a.m. In attendance were Vice Chair Cam Comfort and
Members David Hankins and Mark Rapozo. Board staff in attendance included:
Executive Director Kate Reynolds, Senior Counsel Matt Kernutt, Assistant
Attorney General Julia Eisentrout, Administrative Officer Ruthann Bryant, and
Senior Digital Forensic Investigators Justin Cotte and Swift Sanchez.
2. Approval of Agenda
Motion 26-018 Moved by Vice Chair Comfort,
seconded by Member Hankins:
The Board approved the March
13, 2026 agenda as presented.
The motion passed unanimously.
3. Approval of the January 9, 2026 Meeting
Minutes
Vice Chair Comfort noted a typo on page 3 under the
“Advisory Opinion” topic.
Motion 26-019 Moved by Member Comfort,
seconded by Chair Hooke:
The Board approved the January 9, 2026 minutes as amended.
The motion passed unanimously.
B. Enforcement Matters
Motion to Dismiss and Motion
for Summary Judgment
EEB Case 2024-007 Damon
Gordon.
Administrative
Law Judge TJ Martin presided over oral argument on a Motion to Dismiss and a Motion
for Summary Judgment regarding EEB Case 2024-007 Damon Gordon.
It
was noted that Mr. Gordon arrived to the meeting at
9:50 am, after the oral argument and waiting period had concluded.
A
written order will be issued in the matter.
Stipulations
EEB
Case 2024-010 (Trebacz)
Assistant Attorney General Julia
Eisentrout briefed the Board on a proposed Stipulation and Order in the matter
of former Facilities Engineer at
Western Washington University. Thomas Trebacz agreed that they may have
violated the Ethics in Public Service Act when they used state resources for
private benefit. The
proposed order imposes a civil penalty of $3,000.
EEB
Case 2023-095 (Kelsall)
Senior Digital Forensic Investigator
Justin Cotte briefed the Board on a proposed Stipulation and Order in the
matter of Rowan Kelsall, former Environmental Specialist 3 with the Department
of Ecology. Rowan Kelsall agreed that they may have violated the Ethics in
Public Service Act. Evidence indicated
that they were employed full-time at two places, with overlapping work
schedules, at the Department of Ecology and with an outside employer, Oregon
Department of Environment Quality. The proposed order imposes a civil penalty of
$4,250.
EEB
Case 2024-012 (Rivard)
Senior Digital Forensic Investigator
Justin Cotte also briefed the Board on a proposed Stipulation and Order in the
matter of James Rivard, Central Regional Office Section Manager with the
Department of Ecology. James Rivard agreed that they may have violated the
Ethics in Public Service Act by conducting activities incompatible with public
duties and using state resources for their outside business. Evidence indicated that they used state
resources to support their outside employment and had a conflict of interest by
continuing to do work with their outside septic design business after submitting
an outside employment request that was denied as being a potential conflict. The proposed order imposes a civil
penalty of $4,000 with $2,000 suspended.
EEB
Case 2024-037 (Sessions)
Senior Digital Forensic Investigator
Justin Cotte briefed the Board on a proposed Stipulation and Order in the
matter of Paul Sessions, Grain Inspector Supervisor with the Department of
Agriculture. Paul Sessions agreed that they may have violated the Ethics in
Public Service Act. Evidence indicated
that they obtained outside employment without the Department’s approval,
conducted work for the outside employer on paid time and using
state resources and browsed the internet for personal benefit. The
proposed order imposes a civil penalty of $4,500 with $2,000 suspended.
EEB
Case 2024-067 (Juvrud)
Senior Digital Forensic Investigator
Justin Cotte also briefed the Board on a proposed Stipulation and Order in the
matter of Todd Juvrud, former Director of Food
Services and Events with Bellevue College. Todd Juvrud
agreed that they may have violated the Ethics in Public Service Act. Evidence indicated that they used their
Bellevue College credit card for personal travel, food and Amazon purchases. Evidence also showed
they were paid for 32 hours of work they did not perform. The proposed order imposes a civil
penalty of $2,000.
EEB
Case 2025-064 (Wennstrom)
Senior Digital Forensic Investigator Swift
Sanchez briefed the Board on a proposed Stipulation and Order in the matter of Libby
Wennstrom, Senior IT Project Manager with the Office of the Attorney General.
Libby Wennstrom agreed that they may have violated the Ethics in Public Service
Act. Evidence indicated that they were a member of several outside boards and committees and
attended meetings in state offices and conference rooms. The proposed order imposes a civil
penalty of $750 with $375 suspended.
EEB
Case 2025-077 (Freeman)
Senior Digital Forensic Investigator Swift
Sanchez also briefed the Board on a proposed Stipulation and Order in the
matter of Melissa Freeman, Registered
Nurse 3 at Coyote Ridge Corrections Center with the Department of Corrections. Melissa
Freeman agreed that they may have violated the Ethics in Public Service
Act when they used their state cell phone for excessive personal texting and
calls, to include Facetime and personal photo storage. They were also observed
being on Facetime calls when patients were in view of the camera. The proposed order imposes a civil
penalty of $2,500 with $1,250 suspended.
Executive
Director Dismissals
Kate Reynolds summarized two
Executive Director Dismissals in
EEB Case 2025-081 (Thrasher) and EEB Case 2025-094 (Abdul-Qadir).
The Board deferred action on enforcement matters until after their
closed session.
C. Rule-making
Executive Director Kate Reynolds discussed a scrivener’s
change to WAC 292-130-020 Agency description – contact information – public
records officer. The amendment updates the Board’s administrative office
address and can be addressed with expedited rulemaking by filing a CR-105
Motion 26-020 Moved by Vice Chair Comfort,
seconded by Member Hankins:
The Board approved
the filing of a CR-105 for WAC 292-130-020 Agency description – contact
information – public records officer.
The motion passed
unanimously.
D. Policy Reviews
Administrative Officer Ruthann Bryant presented the
Department of Agriculture’s Meeting Ethical Standards policy. The policy was
approved in May 2023 and changes reflect gift law
updates made during the 2025 Legislative session. Staff recommended approval.
Vice Chair Cam Comfort requested that the
confidential information section be clarified and tightened up to include language
related to sharing confidential information with outside persons and noted an
example.
Administrative Officer Ruthann Bryant also presented
the Employment Security Department’s Fund-Raising and Charitable Purposes
policy noting that the policy was previously approved in 2021. The policy
remains mostly the same with the exception of the
procedures being separated from the policy. Staff recommended approval.
Motion 26-021 Moved by Vice Chair Comfort,
seconded by Member Hankins:
The Board
approved the Employment Security Department’s Fund-Raising and Charitable
Purposes policy as presented.
The motion passed
unanimously.
Executive Director Kate Reynolds presented the Environmental
& Land Use Hearings Office’s Ethics policy and their Training and
Professional Development policy. It was noted that this is the first time these
policies have been before the Board and staff recommended approval.
Vice Chair Comfort noted a typo on page 1 of the
policy to be corrected on the approved version of the policy.
Motion 26-022 Moved by Member Hankins,
seconded by Vice Chair Comfort:
The Board
approved the Environmental & Land Use Hearings Office Ethics policy as
presented and Training and Professional Development policy as amended.
The motion passed
unanimously.
Administrative Officer Ruthann Bryant also presented
ten policies submitted by the Office of the State Treasurer (OST) noting that
this is the first time the OST has had their policies before the Board. Staff recommends
approval for all policies.
Vice Chair Comfort noted a typo on page 1 of the
Outside Employment policy and requested that a definition of “Beneficial
Interest” in the Post-state Employment policy be included on the approved
version.
Motion 26-023 Moved by Vice Chair Comfort,
seconded by Member Hankins:
The Board
approved the following Office of the State Treasurer’s policies:
·
Ethics
·
Conflicts of Interest
·
Confidentiality
·
Use of Position
·
Use of State Resources
·
Gifts and Honoraria
·
Outside Employment
·
Post-State Employment
·
Political Activities
·
Whistleblower
The motion passed
unanimously.
E. Staff Reports
Executive
Director Kate Reynolds reported that the Legislative session has ended and
there were no amendments to the Ethics in Public Service Act.
Kate
Reynolds also noted that the Advisory Opinion review process will continue at
the next meeting.
F. Public Comment/Board Member Comment
No
public or Board Member comments were given.
G. Closed Session
At 10:00
am the Board moved into Closed Session.
At 11:45 am the Board returned to regular session and reported the
following:
Motion 26-024 Moved by Vice Chair Cam
Comfort, seconded by Chair Abel:
The Board approved the Stipulated
Facts, Conclusions of Law and Agreed Order in EEB Case 2024-010, Thomas Trebacz,
imposing a civil penalty of $3,000.
The motion passed unanimously.
Motion 26-025 Moved by Member Hankins,
seconded by Vice Chair Comfort:
The Board approved the
Stipulated Facts, Conclusions of Law and Agreed Order in EEB Case 2023-095, Rowan
Kelsall, imposing a civil penalty of $4,250.
The motion passed unanimously.
Motion 26-026 Moved by Vice Chair Comfort,
seconded by Member Rapozo:
The Board approved the
Stipulated Facts, Conclusions of Law and Agreed Order in EEB Case 2024-012, James
Rivard, imposing a civil penalty of $4,000 with $1,000 suspended.
The motion passed unanimously.
Motion 26-027 Moved by Chair Abel,
seconded by Member Hankins:
The Board approved the
Stipulated Facts, Conclusions of Law and Agreed Order in EEB Case 2024-037, Paul
Sessions, imposing a civil penalty of $4,500 with $2,000 suspended.
The motion passed unanimously.
Motion 26-028 Moved by Member Rapozo,
seconded by Vice Chair Comfort:
The Board approved the
Stipulated Facts, Conclusions of Law and Agreed Order in EEB Case 2024-067,
Todd Juvrud, imposing a civil penalty of $2,000.
The motion passed unanimously.
Motion 26-029 Moved by Member Hankins,
seconded by Chair Abel:
The Board approved the
Stipulated Facts, Conclusions of Law and Agreed Order in EEB Case 2025-067, Libby
Wennstrom, imposing a civil penalty of $750 with $375 suspended.
Voting For: Chair Abel and Members Hankins and Rapozo.
Not Voting: Vice Chair Comfort.
The motion passed.
Motion 26-030 Moved by Vice Chair Comfort,
seconded by Member Hankins:
The Board approved the
Stipulated Facts, Conclusions of Law and Agreed Order in EEB Case 2025-077, Melissa
Freeman, imposing a civil penalty of $2,500 with $1,250 suspended.
The motion passed unanimously.
Motion 26-031 Moved by Vice Chair Comfort,
seconded by Member Hankins:
The Board
determined the complaint is unfounded and dismissed EEB Case 2024-029 Leslie Hall.
The motion passed unanimously.
Motion 26-032 Moved by Member Hankins,
seconded by Vice Chair Comfort:
The Board
determined the complaint is unfounded and dismissed EEB Case 2024-030 Yoshiko Harden.
The motion passed unanimously.
Motion 26-033 Moved by Chair Abel,
seconded by Vice Chair Comfort:
The Board
determined the complaint is unfounded and dismissed EEB Case 2024-031 Cory Gonzalez.
The motion passed unanimously.
Motion 26-034 Moved by Vice Chair
Comfort, seconded by Chair Abel:
The Board
determined the complaint is unfounded and dismissed EEB Case 2024-034 Jennifer Dye.
The motion passed unanimously.
Motion 26-035 Moved by Member Rapozo,
seconded by Vice Chair Comfort:
The Board found Reasonable
Cause over $500 in EEB Case 2024-041 Aaron Carlson.
The motion passed unanimously.
Motion 26-036 Moved by Member Rapozo,
seconded by Member Hankins:
The Board
determined the complaint is unfounded and dismissed EEB Case 2024-047 Marlanea Aspden.
The motion passed unanimously.
Motion 26-037 Moved by Vice Chair
Comfort, seconded by Chair Abel:
The Board
determined the complaint is unfounded and dismissed EEB Case 2024-050 Jeff Killip.
The motion passed unanimously.
Motion 26-038 Moved by Member Rapozo,
seconded by Vice Chair Comfort:
The Board found Reasonable
Cause over $500 in EEB Case 2024-068 Wayne Clark.
The motion passed unanimously.
Motion 26-039 Moved by Member Hankins,
seconded by Member Rapozo:
The Board found Reasonable
Cause over $500 in EEB Case 2024-074 Daniel Wistie.
The motion passed unanimously.
Motion 26-040 Moved by Chair Abel,
seconded by Vice Chair Comfort:
The Board
determined the complaint is unfounded and dismissed
EEB Case 2024-079 Michael Acosta.
The motion passed unanimously.
Motion 26-041 Moved by Vice Chair Comfort,
seconded by Member Hankins:
The Board
determined any violation that may have
occurred does not constitute a material violation because it was inadvertent
and minor, or has been cured, and, after consideration of all
of the circumstances, further proceedings would not serve the purposes
of this chapter and dismissed EEB Case 2024-081
Daniel Bumbarger.
The motion passed unanimously.
Motion 26-042 Moved by Chair Abel,
seconded by Vice Chair Comfort:
The Board found Reasonable
Cause over $500 in EEB Case 2024-084 Tara-Lyn Poole.
The motion passed unanimously.
Motion 26-043 Moved by Vice Chair
Comfort, seconded by Chair Abel:
The Board found Reasonable
Cause over $500 in EEB Case 2024-088 Lisa Narciso.
The motion passed unanimously.
Motion 26-044 Moved by Member Rapozo,
seconded by Member Hankins:
The Board found Reasonable
Cause over $500 in EEB Case 2025-089 Grant Samsill.
The motion passed unanimously.
Motion 26-045 Moved by Vice Chair
Comfort, seconded by Chair Abel:
The Board
determined the complaint is unfounded and dismissed EEB Case 2024-091 Halle Palmer.
Voting For: Chair Abel, Vice Chair Comfort and Member Rapozo.
Voting Against: Member Hankins.
The motion passed.
Motion 26-046 Moved by Member Hankins,
seconded by Vice Chair Comfort:
The Board found Reasonable
Cause over $500 in EEB Case 2024-092 George Petzinger.
The motion passed unanimously.
Motion 26-047 Moved by Chair Abel,
seconded by Vice Chair Comfort:
The Board
determined the complaint is unfounded and dismissed EEB Case 2025-001 Amanda Edwards.
The motion passed unanimously.
Motion 26-048 Moved by Member Hankins,
seconded by Chair Abel:
The Board found Reasonable
Cause over $500 in EEB Case 2025-032 Nicholas Craven.
The motion passed unanimously.
Motion 26-049 Moved by Chair Abel,
seconded by Vice Chair Comfort:
The Board found Reasonable
Cause over $500 in EEB Case 2025-039 Derek Threet.
The motion passed unanimously.
Motion 26-050 Moved by Vice Chair Comfort,
seconded by Member Hankins:
The Board issued a Default
and Final Order in EEB Case 2024-005 Michael Enciso, imposing a civil penalty
of $2,000.
The motion passed unanimously.
H. Miscellaneous Matters/Adjournment
There
being no miscellaneous matters, the meeting was adjourned at 12:02 p.m.
Approved by the Board 5/8/26