SUPPLEMENTAL TO ETHICS COMPLAINT

June 27, 2026 letter to Legislative Ethics Board:

Washington State Legislative Ethics Board
Attn: Jennifer Strus, Counsel
P.O. Box 40500
Olympia, WA 98504-0500
jennifer.strus@leg.wa.gov

Re: Supplemental Evidence and Request for Investigation of Witness Intimidation, Witness Tampering, and Improper Interference — Senator Sharon Shewmake / CJTC Complaints 2026-0000039, 2026-0000044, 2025-0000654

Dear Members of the Legislative Ethics Board and Ms. Strus:

I submit this supplement to my ethics complaint concerning the attached Senator Sharon Shewmake May 18, 2026 letter to the Criminal Justice Training Commission (CJTC).

New evidence shows that Senator Shewmake’s letter was later introduced into the CJTC record by Rebecca Singleton, counsel for Blaine Chief of Police Rodger Funk, in an email to CJTC Investigations Division Manager Mike Devine dated June 10, 2026. The email attaches Senator Shewmake’s letter, references an AGO declination letter, asserts that an FBI agent said complainants were being “flagged,” and demonizes me with unfounded allegations.

This evidence materially escalates the seriousness of my complaint.

Senator Shewmake’s letter was not merely public commentary or ordinary constituent advocacy. It became defense material submitted by counsel for a subject officer in a pending CJTC police-misconduct/certification matter. The letter identified complainants, characterized their lawful public-accountability activity as “weaponizing,” “abusing,” and “harassment,” and asserted that the officers “made no errors.” Senator Shewmake submits no evidence of her allegations, which apparently compelled the unlawful closure of my case, suddenly reopened on June 10 when I contacted  CJTC Assistant Director Kimberly Bliss asking how it could be closed without interviewing me or producing an Investigation Report or instructing me on my rights to appeal.

This sequence raises a serious question whether Senator Shewmake’s official letter and the defense submission prejudiced CJTC’s credibility assessment, investigative scope, witness treatment, or closure decision.

The intimidation concern is substantial. The affected complainants understood the CJTC process to be confidential or protected. Yet a state senator’s official letter and the subject officer’s attorney’s submission labeled them by name as complainants that are abusive, dishonest, harassing, and allegedly “flagged” by the FBI. Such claims would reasonably frighten, chill, or deter complainants and witnesses from continuing to participate, providing complete information, or trusting the integrity of the CJTC process. I no longer believe the CJTC can deliver a fair result.

I request that the Board investigate whether Senator Shewmake’s conduct violated RCW 42.52.160, RCW 42.52.070, RCW 42.52.020, and RCW 42.52.175. I further request that the Board determine whether the facts warrant referral to the appropriate prosecuting authority for possible witness intimidation under RCW 9A.72.110, witness tampering under RCW 9A.72.120, obstruction under RCW 9A.76.020, or other appropriate law.

Specifically, I request that the Board investigate:

1. Who requested, drafted, reviewed, approved, or supplied information for Senator Shewmake’s letter.
2. Whether Senator Shewmake, her staff, City of Blaine officials, Chief Funk, Funk’s counsel, Mayor Steward, CJTC personnel, or other interested parties coordinated the letter.
3. Whether Senator Shewmake knew or should have known that her letter would be used to discredit complainants or influence CJTC.
4. Whether CJTC received, circulated, relied upon, or placed the Shewmake letter in the case file before closing the matter.
5. Whether CJTC closed the matter without interviewing complainants, victims, or material witnesses.
6. Whether the alleged FBI “flagging” statement was verified or relied upon by CJTC.
7. Whether the complainants were chilled, intimidated, discredited, or deterred from participating in the CJTC process.
8. Whether Senator Shewmake’s official intervention conferred favorable treatment or special privilege on Chief Funk, other officers, city officials, or municipal actors.

I request to be treated as a material witness and am prepared to provide sworn testimony regarding the chilling effect, fear, reputational harm, and procedural prejudice caused by Senator Shewmake’s letter and its use by Chief Funk’s attorney.

Respectfully, Jay Taber