Name: Ron A. Mamiya
Title: Presiding Judge
Court: Seattle Municipal Court
County: King
Discipline: Censure
Method of Resolution: Stipulation
Discipline Date: 08/07/2009
Summary: From an agreed statement of facts, the Commission found that Seattle Municipal Court Judge Ron A. Mamiya violated Canons 1 and 2(A) of the Code of Judicial Conduct when he had a brief extramarital affair with a subordinate court employee (whom he did not directly supervise). She resigned her position and later disclosed she did so in part because of her relationship with the judge. Through counsel, she stated her intention to file a claim for sexual harassment, which was settled through mediation with both the City and Judge Mamiya separately paying $67,500 in settlement, without admitting wrongdoing. The Commission censured Judge Mamiya for the disruption of court administration, expenditure of public funds, and attendant disrepute brought upon the court's and the judge's reputations. The Commission and Judge Mamiya agreed that a recommendation for suspension or removal from office was not warranted. The judge agreed not to repeat the behavior, to promptly read and familiarize himself again with the Code of Judicial Conduct in its entirety and to complete a course on judicial ethics at his expense approved in advance by the Commission's Chair or his designee and provide proof of completion of the course within one year.
Case Documents Available:
Certificate of Completion and Order filed 2/10/2012.
Stipulation, Agreement and Order of Censure filed 8/7/2009.