Where applicable, the following public cases may include Commission decisions, statements of charges, answers to statements of charges, exhibits, and/or supreme court decisions. These documents are available for download as Adobe Acrobat PDF files.

In re the Honorable Peter M. Lukevich

From an agreed statement of facts, the Commission admonished Judge Peter M. Lukevich of the Tukwila Municipal Court for violating Canon 3(A)3 of the Code of Judicial Conduct by making harsh or rude comments in his official capacity. The judge agreed that his comments could be so perceived, and further agreed to a corrective course of action including training in demeanor and communication.

Certification and Order of Completion filed 6/17/2002

Stipulation, Agreement and Order of Admonishment filed 12/1/2000

• Exhibit A Excerpt 2
• Exhibit B Excerpt 4
• Exhibit C Excerpt 5

Answer to Statement of Charges filed 8/21/2000

Statement of Charges filed 7/6/2000.

In re the Honorable George W. Colby

On May 9, 2000, the Commission filed a Statement of Charges against Judge George W. Colby of the Yakima County District Court. The charges represented the culmination of the Commission's confidential, complex and lengthy investigation from multiple complainants over an extended period of time.

By stipulation, Judge Colby admitted that he violated Canons 1, 2, 3(A)(1), 3(A)(5), and 3(D)(1)(a) of the Code of Judicial Conduct by entering improper orders beyond the court's jurisdiction; engaged in ex parte conversations; improperly used his contempt authority; exhibited intemperate behavior from the bench; presided over cases where he had a clear conflict of interest; and abused his judicial position for personal reasons. Although denying other charges, the judge agreed that if a hearing were held, the Commission would introduce convincing evidence to establish the many other facts alleged in the Statement of Charges. Among these charges were other instances of ex parte contact with defendants, failing to follow the law, improperly using or bringing alcohol on to the premises of the county courthouse, and failing to discharge his administrative responsibilities. Pursuant to agreement, the judge accepted a censure and agreed to resign from his judicial office.

Stipulation, Agreement and Order of Censure filed 11/30/2000.

• Exhibit A

Answer to Statement of Charges filed 5/30/2000.

Statement of Charges filed 5/9/2000.

In re the Honorable Stephen L. Conroy

The Commission and Judge Stephen L. Conroy of the Lynnwood and Edmonds Municipal Courts stipulated that if a hearing were held, clear, cogent and convincing evidence would establish that he: 1) intentionally made false and misleading statements to Commission investigators; 2) presided over various matters involving parties and/or witnesses with whom he had an intimate personal relationship; and 3) presided over a case involving a defendant who he had previously represented in a different matter and relied on knowledge gained from that relationship in granting the defendant leniency. The judge agreed that the conduct described violated Canons 1, 2 (A), 2(B), 3 (A)(1, 4, and 5), and 3 (D)(1) of the Code of Judicial Conduct. Pursuant to an agreement, the judge accepted a censure and agreed to resign from his judicial offices.

In re the Honorable Rudolph J. Tollefson

On December 16, 1999, the Commission filed a Statement of Charges alleging that Judge Rudolph J. Tollefson of the Pierce County Superior Court violated the Code of Judicial Conduct by using intemperate and abusive language and behavior towards court staff and another judge; engaging in improper conduct by entering ex parte orders when he was a district court judge; engaging in ex parte contacts and failing to maintain his impartiality in a child custody matter pending before him; including undertaking an ex parte investigation outside the courtroom; and failing to maintain, enforce, and observe high standards of judicial conduct so that the integrity and independence of the judiciary would be preserved.

Judge Tollefson agreed that there was sufficient evidence to establish his described conduct and that such conduct violated Canons 1, 2 (A), 2 (B), 3 (A)(1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7), 3 (B)(1), 3 (B)(3), and 3 (D)(1) of the Code of Judicial Conduct. The judge agreed to a censure, to take a course in judicial ethics, and to participate in anger management therapy. The judge further agreed to a five-month suspension without pay.

Certification and Order of Completion filed 2/2/2001

Supreme Court Order In re Tollefson, No. 70051-6 (Aug. 30, 2000)

Stipulation, Agreement and Order of Censure, and Recommendation for Suspension filed 8/21/2000

Stipulated Amendment to the Statement of Charges filed 1/31/2000

Answer to Statement of Charges filed 1/6/2000

Statement of Charges filed 12/16/1999.

In re the Honorable Randolph Furman

The Commission and Judge Randolph Furman of the Cowlitz County Superior Court stipulated that if a hearing were held, evidence would be presented to establish that he used court computer equipment and state provided Internet services over a seven-month period to access Internet sites for his personal benefit. The Internet sites accessed included "aduIt-only" sites, on-line auction sites, personal financial service sites, shopping sites and personal travel sites. The judge agreed that the conduct, if established, would support a determination that he violated Canons 1, 2(A) and 3(B)(1) of the Code of Judicial Conduct and RCW 42.52.160. The Commission censured the judge. The judge also agreed to resign from office and not to seek or hold any judicial office in the future without securing Commission approval.

Stipulation, Agreement and Order of Censure filed 6/2/2000.

In re the Honorable Harry Slusher

The Commission had reason to commence an investigation based upon information that former Commissioner Harry Slusher of the King County Superior Court maintained an undisclosed social relationship with a witness for a party in a matter pending before him. This relationship raised, at a minimum, the appearance of impropriety. Pursuant to a stipulation, former Commissioner Slusher agreed that he would not seek or serve in any position performing judicial functions without Commission approval, and the Commission agreed to close the matter without further proceedings.

In re the Honorable James W. Bates, Jr.

The Commission and Judge James A. Bates, Jr. of the King County Superior Court stipulated that the judge had maintained a sexual relationship and lived with a court employee under his direct daily supervision for about six years during the mid-1980's. The parties stipulated that, although the judge would have produced evidence to the contrary at a hearing, evidence would show that the judge had made comments of a sexual nature at work that were not work-related with two additional subordinate employees. The judge agreed that the conduct described would support a determination that he violated Canons 1, 2(A), 2(B), and 3(A)(3) of the Code of Judicial Conduct. The judge agreed to a censure and to take a course in sensitivity training. The judge further agreed to a one-month suspension.

In agreeing to the sanction, the Commission took into account the judge's long term of service; the absence of prior disciplinary actions; the passage of time since the events; the judge's recognition that he should not have acted as he did; that the conduct did not occur in public and did not impact his action in court cases; and other mitigating factors.

Supreme Court Order In re Bates, No. 98-2911-F80 (Feb. 17, 2000)

Stipulation and Order of Censure - Recommendation of Suspension filed 2/4/2000.