WASHINGTON STATE
EXECUTIVE ETHICS BOARD
March 14, 2025
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 Kelli Hooke at 9:00 a.m. In attendance were Vice Chair Megan Abel and Members
Jan Jutte, Cam Comfort and David Hankins. Board staff in attendance
included: Executive Director Kate
Reynolds, Senior Assistant Attorney General Chad Standifer, Assistant Attorney
General Julia Eisentrout, Administrative Officer Ruthann Bryant, and Senior
Digital Forensic Investigators Justin Cotte and Swift Sanchez.
Chair Hooke introduced and welcomed the Board’s new Senior Digital
Forensic Investigator Swift Sanchez.
2. Approval of Agenda
The Board removed the
advisory opinion from the agenda and moved it to a future meeting.
Motion 25-013 Moved by Member Jutte,
seconded by Vice Chair Abel:
The Board approved the March
14, 2025 agenda as amended.
The motion passed unanimously.
3. Approval of the January 10, 2025, Meeting Minutes
Motion 25-014 Moved by Member Comfort,
seconded by Member Hankins:
The Board approved the January 10, 2025
minutes as presented.
The motion passed
unanimously.
B. Enforcement Matters
Motion for Summary Judgment
EEB Case 2023-070 Jacob
Rainey
Administrative
Law Judge TJ Martin presided over oral argument on a Motion for Summary
Judgment regarding EEB Case 2023-070 Jacob Rainey.
Jacob
Rainey did not appear at the hearing.
Pursuant to Office of Administrative Hearings policy, the Board provided
20 minutes for Jacob Rainey to appear before it considered the matter.
A
written order will be issued in the matter.
Stipulations
EEB
Case 2023-077 (Krepps)
Senior Digital Forensic Investigator
Justin Cotte briefed the Board on a proposed Stipulation and Order in the
matter of Fred Krepps, Corrections and Custody Officer 3 with the Department of
Corrections. Fred Krepps agreed that they may have violated the Ethics in
Public Service Act by using state resources for personal benefit. Evidence indicated that Fred Krepps used
state resources to browse the internet, visiting news, shopping and vacation
websites and used their state email for a personal relationship. The proposed order imposes a civil
penalty of $2,500 with $1,000 suspended.
EEB Case 2023-080 (Whitham)
Justin Cotte also briefed the Board on a
proposed Stipulation and Order in the matter of Robert Whitham, a Social Service Specialist 5 with the
Department of Children, Youth & Families. Robert Whitham agreed that they
may have violated the Ethics in Public Service Act by using state resources for
personal benefit and providing special privileges for themselves and
another. Evidence indicated that Robert
Whitham parked their personal vehicle in a DCYF Seattle parking garage to
attend a Mariner’s baseball game and gave their DCYF issued keycard for
building access to their daughter and allowed their daughter and a friend to
stay in the building while they waited for a concert later in the evening. The proposed order imposes a civil penalty of $2,000 with $1,000
suspended.
EEB
Case 2023-081 (Bowman)
Senior Digital Forensic Investigator
Justin Cotte briefed the Board on a proposed Stipulation and Order in the
matter of Bradley Bowman, Associate
Superintendent with the Department of Corrections. Bradley Bowman agreed that
they may have violated the Ethics in Public Service Act by using their state
issued cell phone for personal use.
Evidence indicated that 41 percent of all incoming and outgoing text
messages over a one-year period were for personal purposes. The proposed
order imposes a civil penalty of $1,000 with $400 suspended.
EEB Case 2023-085 (Glover)
Justin Cotte also briefed the Board on a
proposed Stipulation and Order in the matter of Kevin Glover, a Corrections Specialist 4 with the
Department of Corrections. Kevin Glover agreed that they may have violated the
Ethics in Public Service Act by taking home a state vehicle on several
occasions without permission. The proposed order imposes a civil penalty of
$500 with $250 suspended.
EEB
Case 2023-086 (Brummett)
Senior Digital Forensic Investigator
Justin Cotte briefed the Board on a proposed Stipulation and Order in the
matter of Taylor Brummett, a former
Social Service Specialist 3 with the Department of Corrections. Taylor Brummett
agreed that they may have violated the Ethics in Public Service Act using state
resources for private benefit. Evidence
indicated that Taylor Brummett used their state email to send and receive
approximately 460 personal email messages over a 14-month period. The
proposed order imposes a civil penalty of $850.
EEB Case 2024-073 (Humes)
Justin Cotte also briefed the Board on a
proposed Stipulation and Order in the matter of Bobby Humes, Human Resources Director for the Washington
State Investment Board. Bobby Humes agreed that they may have violated the
Ethics in Public Service Act for their private consulting business. Evidence
indicated that Bobby Humes used their state office to record a video podcast
related to their outside business. The proposed order imposes a civil penalty
of $300 with $150 suspended.
The Board deferred action on the enforcement matters until after
their closed session.
C. Policy Review
Administrative Officer Ruthann Bryant presented
the Liquor and Cannabis Board’s Ethical Conduct and Outside Employment policy.
They noted the policy was previously approved in January of 2023 and the
changes were shown in tracked changes of the revised policy. Staff recommended
approval.
Board member Jutte noted that they appreciate
tracked changes reflecting the changes made since last approval date.
Motion 25-015 Moved by Member Jutte,
seconded by Vice Chair Abel:
The Board
approved the Liquor and Cannabis Board’s Ethical Conduct and Outside Employment
policy as presented.
The motion passed
unanimously.
D. Staff Reports
Executive
Director Kate Reynolds provided an update on SB 5143 regarding the Ethics in
Public Service Act. Kate Reynolds also welcomed Swift Sanchez and noted that
both Administrative Office Ruthann Bryant and Senior Digital Forensic
Investigator Justin Cotte received Excellence Awards for their work over the
last year. Kate Reynolds also provided an update on Board staff’s move from
Bristol Court to the Tumwater building which is expected in mid-June.
Senior
Digital Forensic Investigator Swift Sanchez briefed the Board on their
background and added that they are very happy to be working with staff and the
Board.
E. Public Comment/Board Member Comment
No
public or Board Member comments were given.
F. Closed Session
At 9:35
am the Board moved into Closed Session.
At 11:15 am the Board returned to regular session and reported the
following:
Motion 25-016 Moved by Member Hankins,
seconded by Member Comfort:
The Board approved the Stipulated
Facts, Conclusions of Law and Agreed Order in EEB Case 2023-077 Fred Krepps, imposing
a civil penalty of $2,500 with $1,000 suspended.
The motion passed unanimously.
Motion 25-017 Moved by Member Comfort,
seconded by Member Jutte:
The Board approved the
Stipulated Facts, Conclusions of Law and Agreed Order in EEB Case 2023-080
Robert Whitham, imposing a civil penalty of $2,000 with $1,000 suspended.
The motion passed unanimously.
Motion 25-018 Moved by Member Hankins,
seconded by Chair Hooke:
The Board approved the
Stipulated Facts, Conclusions of Law and Agreed Order in EEB Case 2023-081
Bradley Bowman, imposing a civil penalty of $1,500 with $500 suspended.
The motion passed unanimously.
Motion 25-019 Moved by Member Jutte,
seconded by Member Comfort:
The Board approved the
Stipulated Facts, Conclusions of Law and Agreed Order in EEB Case 2023-085
Kevin Glover, imposing a civil penalty of $500 with $250 suspended.
The motion passed unanimously.
Motion 25-020 Moved by Member Jutte,
seconded by Member Comfort:
The Board approved the
Stipulated Facts, Conclusions of Law and Agreed Order in EEB Case 2023-086
Taylor Brummett, imposing a civil penalty of $500.
The motion passed unanimously.
Motion 25-021 Moved by Member Comfort,
seconded by Member Jutte:
The Board approved the
Stipulated Facts, Conclusions of Law and Agreed Order in EEB Case 2024-073
Bobby Humes, imposing a civil penalty of $300 with $150 suspended.
The motion passed unanimously.
Motion 25-022 Moved by Chair Hooke,
seconded by Vice Chair Abel:
The Board determined that
the complaint was unfounded and dismissed SAO-EEB Case 2024-001 Bob Ferguson.
Voting For: Chair Hooke, Vice Chair Abel and Member
Jutte.
Not Voting: Members Comfort and Hankins.
The motion passed.
Motion 25-023 Moved by Vice Chair Abel,
seconded by Member Comfort:
The Board found Reasonable
Cause over $500 in EEB Case 2023-082 Jessica Zorn.
The motion passed unanimously.
Motion 25-024 Moved by Vice Chair Abel,
seconded by Chair Hooke:
The Board found Reasonable
Cause of $500 or less in EEB Case 2023-083 Jeffrey Thompson.
The motion passed unanimously.
Motion 25-025 Moved by Member Jutte,
seconded by Chair Hooke:
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
2023-088 Jason Parker.
The motion passed unanimously.
Motion 25-026 Moved by Member Comfort,
seconded by Chair Hooke:
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
2023-090 Alfredo Cruz.
The motion passed unanimously.
Motion 25-027 Moved by Vice Chair Abel,
seconded by Member Comfort:
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
2023-092 Cory Simshauser.
The motion passed unanimously.
Motion 25-028 Moved by Member Jutte,
seconded by Member Hankins:
The Board issued a Motion
for Default in EEB Case 2023-071 Daryl Hamilton-Manier.
Voting For: Chair Hooke and
Members Jutte, Comfort and Hankins.
Not Voting: Vice Chair
Abel.
The motion passed.
Motion 25-029 Moved by Member Jutte,
seconded by Vice Chair Abel:
The Board issued a Motion
for Default in EEB Case 2023-078 Lloyd Bookter.
The motion passed unanimously.
Motion 25-030 Moved by Member Jutte,
seconded by Chair Hooke:
The Board issued a Motion
for Default in EEB Case 2023-087 Jason English.
The motion passed unanimously.
Motion 25-031 Moved by Member Jutte,
seconded by Vice Chair Abel:
The Board issued a Motion
for Default in EEB Case 2023-091 Miguel Islas-Sanchez.
The motion passed unanimously.
Motion 25-032 Moved by Member Hankins,
seconded by Member Jutte:
The Board issued a Final
Order of Default in EEB Case 2023-064 Zachary Estep imposing a civil penalty of
$2,500.
The motion passed unanimously.
Motion 25-033 Moved by Member Hankins,
seconded by Member Jutte:
The Board issued a Final
Order of Default in EEB Case 2023-069 Eli Vinje imposing a civil penalty of
$3,500.
The motion passed unanimously.
Motion 25-034 Moved by Member Comfort:
The Board issued a Final
Order of Default in EEB Case 2023-072 Christopher Miller imposing a civil
penalty of $2,000.
The motion died due to lack of a second.
Motion 25-035 Moved by Member Hankins,
seconded by Member Jutte:
The Board issued a Final
Order of Default in EEB Case 2023-072 Christopher Miller imposing a civil
penalty of $3,000.
Voting For: Vice Chair Abel
and Members Hankins and Jutte.
Voting Against: Chair Hooke and Member Comfort.
The motion passed.
G. Miscellaneous Matters/Adjournment
Chair
Hooke noted that the Board would be reviewing their default process. The meeting
was adjourned at 11:30 a.m.
Approved by the Board 5/9/25