Executive Ethics Board ratifies multiple stipulations, default orders and penalties

The Executive Ethics Board on June 1 reconvened from a closed session and recorded final action on a slate of enforcement matters, accepting staff-reached settlements, default orders and dismissals across a series of ethics complaints.

Board staff summarized several pre-session settlements: staff reported that a Department of Corrections employee, Jim Jolley, was the subject of complaint 2024003 alleging use of state resources to promote an outside business called Mountain Forged Hunting. According to staff (Staff member), investigators identified about 51 personal photos and 49 web searches on a state computer over roughly 15 months; staff said a settlement agreement was reached on 06/01/2026 for $250. The board later moved to accept the stipulation on that matter on the record and the motion passed by voice vote.

Staff also reported a settlement in case 2024074 involving allegations that a DOC employee (Daniel Wisti) engaged in extensive personal internet use during work hours; staff said Wisti admitted some personal use and that on 06/01/2026 a settlement of $1,250 was reached. In case 2024085, staff reported that Tara Lynn Poole of the Department of Ecology held outside employment with Bayview Catering and on some occasions steered work; staff said a settlement reached on 05/12/2026 provided for $500 with $500 suspended. The board moved to accept staff recommendations on these matters and recorded affirmative voice votes.

After reconvening on the record, the board also moved through findings of reasonable cause in several matters, accepted dismissals where staff recommended complaints be deemed unfounded or outside the board’s jurisdiction, and approved multiple default and final orders. Among the default and final penalties recorded in the transcript were orders finding Aaron Carlson in default with a civil penalty of $6,000, an Eric Lawrence final order with a $6,000 penalty, and other defaults showing penalties ranging from $1,500 to $10,000; the motions set payment timelines generally as due within 45 days. Several motions were recorded as seconded and carried by voice vote of board members.

The board’s formal actions on these cases were procedural ratifications of staff recommendations and, where appropriate, entry of default orders and civil penalties. Where transcript figures or phrasing were unclear in the recording, the board’s motion language as read on the record was accepted and voted on. The meeting adjourned at 10:55.

Notes: All quotes and case descriptions are drawn from on-record staff presentations and motions recorded during the Executive Ethics Board meeting.