Panel closes investigation of state Sen. Roach

OLYMPIA — A final report released Wednesday by the Senate calls for an update to the chamber’s policy on treatment of staff but results in no discipline or additional sanctions for a Republican state senator found to have violated that policy shortly after being allowed back into the GOP caucus last year.

The report was released along with a draft report that was written in December and was the subject of an internal investigation because it was leaked to The Associated Press last month. The final report is dated Jan. 15, the day before the Senate Facilities and Operations Committee lifted all sanctions against Sen. Pam Roach of Auburn.

The same committee on Tuesday night unanimously approved closing both the leak investigation, and the investigation into Roach’s behavior. It also voted to publicly release both reports, which are nearly identical.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

The reports were compiled by a subcommittee that was created last summer solely to investigate incidents involving Roach, and which looked into three specific meetings of concern that occurred last year.

Of the three incidents, only one had a finding that Roach violated the chamber’s “respectful workplace” policy last March by verbally attacking a Senate Republican staffer charged with upholding sanctions against Roach that had prevented her from having direct contact with staff.

Those 2010 sanctions came after an investigation determined that she had mistreated staff. They were reaffirmed in September as part of a legal settlement concerning a senior Republican attorney.

In its findings on that March incident, the subcommittee concluded that Roach violated the chamber’s policy, “both its prohibition against derogatory and demeaning treatment as well as its prohibition against retaliatory actions.”

The report called for Senate Republican leaders and members to clarify staff roles “to protect staff from being attacked for doing their jobs,” and take other actions to discourage violations of the chamber’s workplace policy, as well as violations of the then-in-place sanctions against Roach.

Sen. Don Benton, a Vancouver Republican who is chairman of the F&O Committee, said Tuesday night that the committee has already voted to make changes to the policy to reflect the concerns of the report. Benton said that Roach had appealed the report in writing, but her written appeal would not be released publicly. Roach did not immediately respond to an email request seeking comment, or a message left at her office Wednesday morning.

The Senate Facilities and Operations Committee, altered this year by a new GOP-majority coalition in the chamber, decided last month to lift the sanctions against Roach, allowing her to resume direct contact with staff. The change allowed Roach to chair a Senate committee focused on government operations. Roach is a key vote in the new Senate coalition, since that caucus has only a one-vote advantage in the chamber.

The final report released Wednesday also noted an incident last March where Roach got into a heated discussion with another senator where Roach was “exceptionally loud and angry, and using highly inflammatory, accusatory, hostile, personal attack language” for up to 10 minutes. The report found that Roach did not violate any policy, noting that “vigorous, even angry, debate over legislation is a recognized aspect of a legislative environment.”

A third incident where a staffer overhead angry comments made by Roach at an event at a park was also found to not be a violation, with the interaction between Roach and the caucus staff member being “limited, indirect, and not initiated by either party.”

Another document obtained by the AP last month that was not released on Wednesday showed the state has spent more than $125,000 on investigations and defenses of cases involving Roach.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

(City of Everett)
Everett’s possible new stadium has a possible price tag

City staff said a stadium could be built for $82 million, lower than previous estimates. Bonds and private investment would pay for most of it.

Jennifer Humelo, right, hugs Art Cass outside of Full Life Care Snohomish County on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘I’ll lose everything’: Snohomish County’s only adult day health center to close

Full Life Care in Everett, which supports adults with disabilities, will shut its doors July 19 due to state funding challenges.

The age of bridge 503 that spans Swamp Creek can be seen in its timber supports and metal pipes on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Lynnwood, Washington. The bridge is set to be replaced by the county in 2025. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Snohomish County report: 10 bridges set for repairs, replacement

An annual report the county released May 22 details the condition of local bridges and future maintenance they may require.

The Edmonds City Council gathers to discuss annexing into South County Fire on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Community group presents vision for Edmonds’ fiscal future

Members from Keep Edmonds Vibrant suggested the council focus on revenue generation and a levy lid lift to address its budget crisis.

Cars drive along Cathcart Way next to the site of the proposed Eastview Village development that borders Little Cedars Elementary on Wednesday, May 7, 2025 in unincorporated Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Former engineer: Snohomish County rushed plans for Eastview development

David Irwin cited red flags from the developers. After he resigned, the county approved the development that’s now stalled with an appeal

People listen as the Marysville School Board votes to close an elementary and a middle school in the 2025-26 school year while reconfiguring the district’s elementary schools to a K-6 model on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025 in Marysville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Marysville schools audit shows some improvement

Even though the district still faces serious financial problems, the findings are a positive change over last year, auditors said.

Outside of the Madrona School on Monday, Aug. 26, 2024 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Sewer district notifies Edmonds schools of intent to sue

The letter of intent alleges the school district has failed to address long-standing “water pollution issues” at Madrona K-8 School.

Raul Benitez Santana in the courtroom Wednesday. (Will Geschke / The Herald)
Jury convicts driver in death of Washington State Patrol trooper

The jury took four hours Wednesday to find Raul Benitez Santana guilty of vehicular homicide and vehicular assault.

Lake Stevens honors council member who died in office

Marcus Tageant, 52, served on the Lake Stevens City Council for more than a decade. He died on May 26.

Community members gather for the dedication of the Oso Landslide Memorial following the ten-year remembrance of the slide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Daily Herald garners 6 awards from regional journalism competition

The awards recognize the best in journalism from media outlets across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

Edmonds Mayor Mike Rosen goes through an informational slideshow about the current budget situation in Edmonds during a roundtable event at the Edmonds Waterfront Center on Monday, April 7, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds mayor recommends $19M levy lid lift for November

The city’s biennial budget assumed a $6 million levy lid lift. The final levy amount is up to the City Council.

Amit B. Singh, president of Edmonds Community College. 201008
Edmonds College and schools continue diversity programs

Educational diversity programs are alive and well in Snohomish County.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.