Former Okanogan County Court Commissioner Censured Over Sexual Communications With Staff, Delayed Ruling

The Washington State Commission on Judicial Conduct has censured former Okanogan County Superior Court Commissioner Robert Colbert after he admitted exchanging inappropriate sexual communications with a court employee and failing to rule on a parenting plan matter within the required time.

The commission announced the stipulation earlier today. Under the agreement, Colbert cannot seek or serve in judicial office again without the commission’s advance permission.

Colbert served as a court commissioner from 2018 until April 2026. He was placed on leave February 4 after the communications came to the presiding judge’s attention, and his appointment was revoked April 6, according to the stipulation.

The commission received a complaint January 20, 2026, about a delayed decision in a parenting plan modification proceeding.

During its investigation, the commission learned of the communications with a female court employee who worked closely with Colbert from August 2022, when she joined the court, until January 2026.

According to the agreed facts, Colbert and the employee regularly communicated in person, by text on personal phones and through work email. Some exchanges involved sexually explicit comments.

The employee said she was uncomfortable at times but did not tell Colbert because of the difference in their positions of power. She continued to participate in or initiate exchanges and told coworkers about the conversations and her fear of being fired if she reported them, the stipulation states.

Colbert said he perceived the employee as a proactive participant who regularly initiated the communications. He acknowledged, however, that such exchanges with staff were unacceptable for a judicial officer regardless of who initiated them.

The agreement describes a court work environment that had become informal and casual to the point of being unprofessional. It says Colbert was responsible for maintaining a respectful workplace regardless of his intentions or his understanding of the employee’s willingness to participate.

The employee described a substantial negative effect on her health and happiness at a job she enjoyed, according to the stipulation. The agreement also describes the misconduct as disruptive to the workplace.

The agreement states that, as directed, Colbert had not contacted the employee since being placed on leave.

The separate delay involved motions for contempt and modification of a parenting plan argued before Colbert on April 29, 2025.

He took the matters under advisement and entered a temporary parenting plan on November 19, 204 days after final submissions on the modification issue. He never ruled on the contempt motions. Another judge ultimately addressed them after Colbert recused himself January 8, 2026.

Colbert explained that he had asked attorneys, through court staff, to provide a proposed order for review and signature, but none was provided. He eventually prepared and signed an order himself. He acknowledged that the responsibility to rule on time remained his.

The agreement says the delay exceeded the 90-day limit established by Washington’s Constitution and state law. Colbert admitted violating judicial conduct rules governing diligence, treatment of court staff and public confidence in the judiciary.

In weighing the sanction, the commission described the misconduct as serious and extending over several years. It also noted that Colbert had no prior public disciplinary history, immediately acknowledged that his behavior was inappropriate when contacted, accepted responsibility and fully cooperated with the proceeding.

Censure is the most severe disciplinary action the commission itself can issue. It may also recommend that the Washington Supreme Court suspend or remove a judicial officer.

The agreement says a removal recommendation was unnecessary because Colbert agreed not to seek or serve in judicial office without advance permission from the commission.

Colbert also agreed not to retaliate against anyone known or suspected to have cooperated with the commission or otherwise been associated with the matter.