If you're a PRO who witnesses possible felony records destruction, you need to understand: the @atg.wa.gov
is not a safe reporting channel. They defend the agency, not the employee. Your report can be handed straight to leadership. Talk to your union or private counsel first. #waleg

If you’re a PRO in Washington, know this: You are not the client! The @atg.wa.gov response to a felony records-destruction report didn’t confirm an investigation, didn’t explain their procedure, and didn’t answer whether the law is enforced. Protect yourself. #waleg

The @atg.wa.gov was asked 3 Q's.
1️⃣ Did you investigate the alleged felony?
2️⃣ What is your procedure when a client agency is accused of a crime?
3️⃣ Does your silence signal that records-destruction won’t be enforced?

They chose evasion over answering. #waleg

The person who allegedly ordered the felony destruction of the public's records in response to a records request, now works at @wastatedes.bsky.social handling some rule making. In Washington, there are apparently no consequences except for those who did the right thing. #waleg

Receipts matter.
This is the real January 5, 2023 message sent inside OMWBE:

“What happens if someone is asked to delete some Teams posts… because of a records request?” #waleg

This episode isn’t about confusion or poor training.
It’s about accountability and what happens to public servants who refuse to participate in a cover-up. Full transcript + source documents linked in the episode notes. #waleg tinyurl.com/55t72t86

OMWBE’s own Public Records Officer documented the incident, reported it up the chain, and tried to uphold the law. Her reward? Months of obstruction, exclusion from decision-making, and what appears to be targeted retaliation, ending in a written reprimand. #waleg

Also in Ep 11, we chat with @washingtonstatestandard.com editor Bill Lucia about @governorferguson.bsky.social opaque approach to public relations out of the Governor's office. The Gov must do better. He owes the people a transparency administration. #waleg

Retention isn't a vibe. It's a statutory obligation. Retention is based on the content and function of the record, not on the location or channel over which it is created or sent, and it's certainly not based on the convenience or lack thereof of those charged with executing the law. #waleg

The @oicwa.bsky.social PRO would later express some relief that @ssowersby.bsky.social did not request messages from the OIC's preferred IM system "Slack." One must wonder why 🤔 She also makes clear agency convenience should be the priority over the proper retention of the people's records #waleg

DCYF records show staff not searching Teams because the request didn't "specify" to do so. DOC doesn't search teams unless they are specifically asked. But if a requester asks for "all records" or "all communications," then all possible locations should be searched. #waleg

Spoiler alert... the meeting was not recorded! Hilarious right? They make decisions about what you can and cannot see behind closed doors, then are all 🤷 "Wish we could do something for you." #waleg

The level of disdain WaTech, @governorferguson.bsky.social @wastateauditor.bsky.social, & @atg.wa.gov
have shown for Washington's transparency laws is laid bare all in this exchange. This is corruption. The culture of "Screw 'em if they don't like it" come across loud and clear. #waleg

A staffer from @wastatedes.bsky.social asks if the meeting will be recorded. Angie Sherrer of WaTech answers "And have it be discoverable LOL. I'm not sure how to answer that question. 😊" #waleg