Washington CJC Sanctions Two Judicial Officers

Today, the Washington State Commission on Judicial Conduct released two disciplinary stipulations detailing severe misconduct by judicial officers.

According to the stipulations, King County District Court Judge Fa’amomoi Masaniai and Kitsap County Superior Court Commissioner Lynn K. Fleischbein were sanctioned for actions that betray the core responsibilities of their offices.

The underlying facts, as agreed to by the judicial officers themselves, reveal alarming abuses of power, profound neglect of duty, and a disturbing disregard for the people they serve.

The Dark Chambers of King County District Court

In King County, according to the stipulated facts, Judge Fa’amomoi Masaniai engaged in deeply inappropriate personal conduct and initiated unwanted physical contact with a female court clerk, grossly exploiting the stark power differential between a judge and subordinate staff.

The CJC document details that the clerk, who started her position in January 2023, originally approached the judge to discuss a case involving a litigant’s suicide.

The stipulation notes that Masaniai used the opportunity to obtain her cell phone number. He subsequently began contacting her after hours, prying into her personal life, and asking for her “craziest story” upon learning she was formerly a bikini barista. Masaniai also shared that he used to work as a bouncer at a strip club.

According to the disciplinary agreement, this predatory behavior escalated. On May 5, 2023, Masaniai offered the clerk a massage in his chambers. The document states she politely declined, but he then offered again via text message, which she again declined.

Three days later, under the guise of discussing a case, Masaniai invited the clerk into his chambers.

According to the clerk’s account formalized in the stipulation, she arrived to find the lights off and the blinds closed, making the room “quite dark.”

The agreed facts note he told her to “sit down and get comfortable” before standing over her, asking about her tattoos, and complimenting her “special spirit” while complaining about his marital problems.

When the clearly uncomfortable clerk attempted to leave, the document states Masaniai asked for a hug. Feeling unable to say no to her effective boss, she agreed, resulting in a “full body embrace” where Masaniai placed his hand so low on her back that it touched her rear.

The stipulation describes the embrace lasting five to ten seconds. The clerk noted he was smiling and looked as though he was going to kiss her.

According to the report, she jumped back, fled the room, and threw up.

The disciplinary order describes the devastating impact of Masaniai’s actions on this public servant.

The document outlines that she suffered from panic attacks, threw up at work upwards of ten times, and was forced to hide in the courthouse bathrooms to avoid the judge.

Based on the facts outlined in the stipulation, Masaniai’s actions represent a gross exploitation of his judicial status.

By weaponizing his authority to cultivate a deeply inappropriate relationship with a subordinate—someone who felt powerless to refuse him—he shattered the norms of a safe workplace and tainted the integrity of the bench.

Although the agreement notes he cited personal tragedies as mitigation, the deliberate creation of an intimidating, predatory environment described in the document is a chilling abuse of his position.

For these actions, the CJC formally Reprimanded him and ordered him to take remedial training on sexual harassment.

Justice Delayed, Justice Denied in Kitsap County

Meanwhile, in Kitsap County, a separate stipulation reveals that Commissioner Lynn K. Fleischbein severely delayed issuing decisions in two child support modification cases, directly threatening the welfare of the children involved.

Rendering decisions is a core, basic function for any judicial officer. Under RCW 2.08.240 and the Washington State Constitution, a judge is required to issue a decision within 90 days of a final submission.

According to the CJC’s findings, Fleischbein violated these constitutional boundaries.

The stipulation shows that in Cause No. 21-3-00360-18, litigants waited 168 days for a final order, child support order, and worksheets. In Cause No. 21-3-00484-18, the documented delay stretched to an astonishing 301 days—roughly ten months.

The CJC document further notes that during these massive delays, litigants inquired with the court about the status of their cases, left to twist in the wind by a judicial officer who demanded prompt compliance from citizens but failed to deliver it herself.

As outlined in the agreement, decisional delay in child support modifications is uniquely harmful, as it directly impacts the financial stability and welfare of vulnerable families.

As acknowledged in the stipulation, Commissioner Fleischbein attributed the delays to an adjustment period as a newly appointed part-time commissioner and personal hardships involving caring for her mother.

However, based on the agreed facts, her failure to perform the most basic function of her office effectively denied justice to the families relying on her.

In cases involving the welfare of children, a ten-month delay is a profound dereliction of judicial duty. For this stipulated misconduct, she received an Admonishment from the CJC.

The Bottom Line

The public places immense trust in its judicial officers to uphold the law, maintain ethical workplaces, and dispense timely justice.

The disturbing conduct of Judge Masaniai and Commissioner Fleischbein, as detailed in their own signed stipulations, stands as a stark reminder of the human cost when those in robes forget their profound responsibilities.

Whether it is a judge leveraging his power to harass staff in darkened chambers or a commissioner forcing families to wait nearly a year for critical child support rulings, these documented failures erode the very foundation of our legal system.

Accountability starts at the bench, and Washington residents deserve far better from their courts.