Name: Stephen M. Gaddis
Title: Commissioner
Court: King County Superior Court
County: King
Discipline: Reprimand
Method of Resolution: Stipulation
Discipline Date: 12/10/2004
Canons Violated:1, 2(A), 3(A)(5), 3(D)(1), 5(C)(5)
Summary: From an agreed statement of facts, the Commission found that King County Superior Court Commissioner Stephen M. Gaddis violated Canons 1, 2(A), 3(A)(5), 3(D)(1) and 5(C)(5) of the Code of Judicial Conduct. From the agreed statement of facts the Commission found that while Commissioner Gaddis was assigned to the Ex Parte and Probate Department of the King County Superior Court, his duties included authorizing payment of trust funds in guardianship proceedings, and that during this time, he accepted gifts from an attorney who regularly appeared before him for approvals of fees and other requests, allowed the attorney to purchase dinner for him and for another person, and that the commissioner developed, with his wife, a personal social relationship with the executive director and manager of a guardianship agency whose interests were frequently before the commissioner. The Commission reprimanded the commissioner.
Case Documents Available:
Certificate of Completion and Order filed 12/10/2004.
Stipulation, Agreement and Order of Reprimand filed 12/10/2004.