Clark County ethics commission clears director in one complaint, schedules hearing for fire marshal, dismisses sheriff complaint

The Clark County Ethics Commission on Feb. 18 reviewed three complaints and issued three separate decisions: it ruled that allegations against Community Services Director Vanessa Gaston do not constitute an ethics violation; it voted to hold a public hearing on a complaint about Deputy Fire Marshal Jason Noble and scheduled that hearing for Feb. 18 at 2:30 p.m.; and it ruled that a complaint alleging Sheriff John Horsch committed an ethics violation by speeding did not meet the commission's threshold for investigation.

The actions came after public comment by several community members and written and investigative material the commission said it had reviewed. Chair Murray said the commission relied on the investigator's report in each matter and framed the legal standards it applies, including Clark County Code Section 2.07.010, the applicable sections of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW), and county human resources policy.

Why it matters: The decisions determine whether the commission will open formal hearings or close matters without further public proceedings, and they concern local public-safety and community-services officials whose roles involve awarding or administering public funds and enforcing county rules.

The Gaston complaint: The commission reviewed complaint number 202046, which alleged that Vanessa Gaston failed to disclose a conflict of interest by serving on the board of the Community Foundation for Southwest Washington while the county awarded a contract to that foundation. The investigator, Jillian Barron, reported that the complainant had no personal knowledge of Gaston's role in the contract award, that Gaston's involvement in the contract was peripheral, and that neither Gaston's office nor the foundation originated the funding request.

Chair Murray said the investigation showed no evidence that Gaston "abused her county position in connection with this contract" and noted that Gaston had taken steps to be transparent about her board service. The commission voted unanimously that the allegations did not constitute an ethics violation under the county code and applicable state law.

Several members of the public spoke in Gaston's defense during the meeting. Shavona McEwen, who identified herself as the executive director of a Clark County nonprofit that advises on equity, said Gaston has "nearly 20 years of exemplary service" and asked commissioners to consider whether Gaston might be subject to a double standard because of her race. McEwen said, "Ms. Gaston's skin color does not make her immune from making mistakes or poor decisions. It does, however, make her susceptible to ridicule, degradation and questioning in a way that is unlike anything you or I will ever experience."

Esra Khalil, senior program officer for the Community Foundation for Southwest Washington, told the commission the foundation has awarded county-directed mental-health sales-tax funds through a social justice and resiliency fund and said Gaston had been a volunteer board member since 2017. Khalil said the foundation's volunteer board of about 12 members signs conflict-of-interest statements and that "before entering into these contracts, Vanessa served on the committee, but proactively recused herself from all social justice and resiliency fund activities, emails, discussions, and decisions." Bridal Strong, who said she was the county's first chief of diversity and equity, told commissioners she doubted Gaston had "done anything to compromise ethics."

Hearing set for deputy fire marshal: The commission considered complaint number 202411, filed by Rodney Harvey, alleging Deputy Fire Marshal Jason Noble misused his position to secure benefits for his wife and friends and may have obtained related video footage from another county department for personal benefit. The investigator's report, the commission said, raised concerns that Noble may have "knowingly made a false or misleading statement" and may have used his position improperly.

Commissioners voted to set the matter for a public hearing. Under the commission's schedule, the hearing was set for Feb. 18 at 2:30 p.m.; the commission said it will send notice to the complainant and to Noble and that both sides may present witnesses and testimony.

Sheriff complaint dismissed: The commission also reviewed complaint number 202413, filed by Charles Harvey, alleging Sheriff John Horsch committed an ethics violation by speeding on State Route 500 and that a prior related complaint had been denied. The commission's chair said speeding alone is not an ethics violation and that the denial of a prior complaint, standing alone, did not meet the commission's sufficient-cause standard. The commission voted that the allegations did not constitute an ethics violation.

Other business: The commission unanimously approved the minutes from its prior meeting and unanimously agreed to reorder the agenda so the executive session occurred before public consideration of submitted complaints. Christine Cook, senior deputy prosecuting attorney, announced that the executive session would last until about 2:45 p.m. and said the commission would reconvene at that time.

What comes next: Notices and procedural information for the Noble hearing will be posted and mailed per the commission's business process and administrative procedures. The commission did not announce further action related to the Gaston or Horsch matters beyond closing those complaints.