Dunn introduces ethics reform after Seattle Times investigation reveals $800K in payments to employees’ family members

May 6, 2026

King County Councilmember Reagan Dunn on Wednesday announced new ethics reform legislation aimed at tightening conflict-of-interest rules across county government. The announcement follows a recent Seattle Times investigation that reported over $800,000 in county payments tied to employees’ family members and raised broader concerns about ethics enforcement and oversight failures in county contracting.

“Nearly every family I know in King County is currently concerned with affordability and the rising cost-of-living,” Dunn said. “Given that backdrop, the potential for public dollars being misused in this way is a slap in the face to taxpayers and a violation of the trust of King County residents. We must be purposeful in ensuring hard-earned public funds are used efficiently and effectively, not scattered indiscriminately without regard to accountability.”

According to the Times investigation, a county employee who managed a youth education program oversaw nearly $1 million in grant payments to five family members. Although concerns were raised in internal records, a formal investigation did not begin until after an audit — requested by Dunn for years — found that weak financial oversight within the Department of Community and Human Services left taxpayer dollars vulnerable to misuse.

That audit led to the unanimous approval of Dunn’s grant oversight reform legislation and, following additional calls from Dunn, prompted an independent investigation by the King County Office of the Ombuds. Findings from that investigation are expected in the coming weeks.

The legislation announced this morning would significantly expand and modernize the county’s ethics and conflict-of-interest code. The proposal would:

• Expand when conflict of interest rules apply to county employees and prohibit them from using their positions to benefit individuals with whom they have close family ties or significant personal relationships
• Expand conflict of interest rules to a broad range of “significant relationships”, such as individuals who are cohabitating or in established relationships
• Strengthen enforcement by requiring conflicts to be resolved, not merely disclosed, to ensure this type of potential financial misuse cannot happen again

The legislation builds on years of work by Councilmember Dunn aimed at improving accountability in county spending, including recently co-sponsoring Councilmember Rod Dembowski’s legislation to create a new Inspector General Division to strengthen independent oversight. 

The bill is expected to be referred to the King County Government Affairs and Oversight Committee.