WORKPLACE CONDUCT

Former state Senator violated harassment policy, report finds

By • Feb 1, 2019
Washington Senate

Former Washington state Sen. Kevin Ranker, an Orcas Island Democrat, violated Senate harassment policy in his treatment of a female subordinate during the 2010 legislative session, according to an investigative report released Friday.

State Sen. Kevin Ranker resigns amidst workplace conduct investigation

By • Jan 12, 2019
Washington Senate

Washington state Sen. Kevin Ranker, an Orcas Island Democrat, has resigned his seat in the midst of a workplace conduct investigation. In a letter to Gov. Jay Inslee dated Friday, Ranker, who served in the Senate for a decade, said his resignation was effective immediately. The state's 105 day legislative session starts Monday.

State senator acknowledges previous relationship with former legislative assistant

By • Dec 19, 2018
State Sen. Kevin Ranker is the subject of a workplace conduct investigation.
Washington Legislature

A Washington state senator under investigation for alleged workplace misconduct involving his former legislative assistant acknowledged Tuesday that he had a "brief relationship" with the woman before he hired her in 2009.

State legislature investigating Sen. Kevin Ranker for workplace misconduct

By • Dec 17, 2018
Washington Senate

Washington state Sen. Kevin Ranker, an Orcas Island Democrat best known for his work on environmental issues, has confirmed that he is under investigation for alleged workplace misconduct involving a former employee.


Manweller report finds 'pattern of unprofessional' behavior from lawmaker

By • Aug 22, 2018
Washington Legislature / Washington Legislature

Washington state Rep. Matt Manweller “engaged in a pattern of unprofessional and inappropriate behavior” with current and former female students at Central Washington University (CWU) over a 13-year period, according to an 85-page investigative report released by the university on Wednesday.

Accused of staring at women’s breasts, official still stayed on job until retirement

By Austin Jenkins • Aug 17, 2018
In March, Governor Jay Inslee announced Dale Peinecke's resignation as commissioner of the Employment Security Department following a workplace conduct investigation. But Peinecke ended up running the agency remotely for two more months after that.
Washington Employment Security Department

Last March, Washington Governor Jay Inslee announced the resignation of one of his longest-serving cabinet members, Employment Security Department head Dale Peinecke. A workplace misconduct investigation had found that over the five years Peinecke worked in state government, he made some staff uncomfortable and was “vulnerable to claims of harassment with sexual overtones.”