Name: Fa’amomoi Masaniai
Title: Judge
Court: King Co Dist. South Division
County: King
Discipline: Reprimand
Method of Resolution: Stipulation
Discipline Date: 04/24/2026
Canons Violated:Canon 1, Rules 1.1 and 1.2, and Canon 2, Rules 2.3(A) and 2.8(B)
Summary: From an agreed statement of facts, King County District Court Judge Fa’amomoi Masaniai stipulated that he violated Canon 1, Rules 1.1 and 1.2, and Canon 2, Rules 2.3(A) and 2.8(B), of the Code of Judicial Conduct. Judge Masaniai violated the Code by initiating an inappropriate personal relationship with a court clerk that included unsolicited communications about personal matters via phone and text message and unwanted hugging, without regard to the power differential between a judge and member of court staff. The Commission reprimanded Judge Masaniai and ordered him to complete remedial training focused on sexual harassment and gender dynamics and review the Code.
Case Documents Available:
Stipulation, Agreement, and Order of Reprimand filed 4/24/2026.