Complaint Opinion 03-01

​The complaint alleged the Respondent used state resources to prepare and mail a personal letter in violation of RCW 42.52.160.  The letter was sent to school district officials complaining of coach's behavior toward respondent's child and her teammates.

​Board concluded that in its totality the letter was personal but that the action complained of was minor and no further proceedings were warranted.  When a member has a strong personal interest and benefit, the Board will carefully examine a legislator's "ombudsman" role. Advisory Opinions 1995-No. 17 and 1997-No.1.  Two members of the Board dissented as they would have found there was no reasonable cause to believe the letter violated the Act.