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Public commenter says city attorney corrected errors after State Bar complaint over judge disqualification notice
Summary
A public commenter said the city attorney's office responded through counsel to a State Bar complaint about a press release that disqualified a judge; the commenter argued the press release contained factual errors and said the bar invited a response.
A public commenter reported on April 29 that the Seattle city attorney’s office responded through outside counsel to a State Bar complaint the commenter filed about a press release concerning a judge’s disqualification.
The speaker said the city attorney’s press release had listed three examples of cases allegedly mishandled by the judge. The commenter asserted two of the three accusations were incorrect and described how the lawyer for the city attorney, identified in the comment as Natalie Walton Anderson, acknowledged an error in one sentence concerning whether the judge dismissed a particular case. The commenter said the lawyer’s response also argued that a factual error in an otherwise accurate report would not constitute reckless disregard for the truth.
The commenter framed the response as insufficient and reiterated disagreements about how the city attorney characterized the judge’s rulings. “These are not stray factual errors,” the speaker said. The speaker told the council the State Bar invited a reply and said they would submit one and “keep you guys posted.”
Nut graf: The remarks were part of the public comment period and recounted a private complaint process involving the State Bar and the city attorney’s office; the transcript does not show council action, staff response, or a referral on the matter.
Ending: The commenter said they would update the council on any developments; the meeting record contains no subsequent action related to the complaint.
