VICTORY: Judge Rules Video Depositions of WDFW Staff Can Move Forward!
ANOTHER VICTORY FOR US IN OUR PURSUIT TO HAVE FULL AND TRANSPARENT DISCLOSURE AND TO END THESE SECRET MEETINGS!
On Friday, June 14th, Joe Frawley, Twin Harbors Fish and Wildlife Advocacy's (THFWA) attorney met WDFW lawyer, Mike Grossmann and others before Judge Price in Thurston County Superior Court. At issue was the video depositions of WDFW staff and documentation which THFWA requested in their lawsuit.
Here is Update 4, which was just published by THFWA regarding those procedures.
June 18, 2019 Update #4- Judge rules discovery and video depositions can move forward in the Advocacy's legal challenge to WDFW's co-management season setting practices
In the second round in Thurston County Superior Court, Judge Price set the structural process for the Advocacy legal challenge to North of Falcon season setting by WDFW. At the same time, he heard arguments regarding discovery and the Advocacy's ability to use video tape in depositions of WDFW staff.
WDFW argued that video taped depositions of individual employees such as Rules Coordinator Scott Bird were too hard on WDFW staff. Mr. Bird provided a declaration to the court explaining his concern over a recent correspondence between WDFW's Mike Grossman and Advocacy's Joe Frawley discussing the legal ramifications for someone altering the record. The idea "....I could be involved in criminal activity is very offensive and threatening to me." He added "This has upset me a great deal".
Advocacy President Tim Hamilton responded in opposition to Bird's declaration with an explanation of how WDFW depositions were required to lay out all the facts stating "WDFW will simply not disclose how the seasons are set and what occurs behind the scenes between WDFW, the Governor's office, the tribal co-managers and the federal agencies."
Judge Price then set the path forward noting that the Advocacy would be entitled to discovery over the public records related to the North of Falcon season setting process and be allowed video-taped depositions of WDFW staff.
Scott Bird's and Tim Hamilton's declarations are available for view and downloading on the Advocacy website under Legal Issues HERE.
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Clearly, THFWA is in this to WIN! They are standing up for the Citizen Sportsmen and doing so in the one place where WDFW cannot use closed doors and double talk, the Superior Court of Thurston County!
Video depositions are expensive, and the Advocacy is counting on us all to give them the ammunition to take this fight all the way. Please, visit the THFWA Website and make a donation. Your contribution will help bring these Secret Meetings to an end!
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