On Friday, April 25, 2025, the Washington Commission on Judicial Conduct censured David Ruzumna, Judge Pro Tempore of the King County District Court, for violating multiple rules of the Code of Judicial Conduct. The Commission’s decision followed a thorough investigation into allegations that Ruzumna created a fraudulent document in an attempt to secure a discounted parking rate for county employees.

The case is entitled “In the Matter of Judge David Ruzumna,” with case number 11424-F-210.

The charges stemmed from an incident on February 16, 2023, when Ruzumna allegedly presented a document to a parking attendant at the Goat Hill Parking Garage. This document falsely claimed that he was employed by the King County District Court as a judge pro tem and included the official seal and signature stamp of Judge Rebecca Robertson, a full-time judge at the court. The complaint asserted that Ruzumna did not have permission to use either the seal or the signature stamp.

The Commission held a hearing on November 19, 2024, where it was revealed that Ruzumna had used the document in a misguided effort to obtain a parking discount, which is typically available only to full-time county employees. Following a detailed investigation, including testimonies from several witnesses, the Commission found probable cause to support the allegations against him.

During the hearing, Regina De Los Santos, the facility manager for the parking garage, testified that Ruzumna presented the document to her attendant, who sought verification of its validity. De Los Santos stated that the document lacked the necessary identification typically required for parking discounts, such as a county badge, and she denied the request for a discount. She noted that the document was a plain piece of paper with no letterhead, which further raised concerns about its authenticity.

Heather Dean, the King County District Court Budget Director, also testified, confirming that pro tem judges do not qualify for employee discounts for parking. Dean indicated that while Ruzumna had sought clarification regarding parking eligibility, he failed to confirm his status with court administration.

Judge Robertson testified that she was unaware of the document’s creation and was shocked to learn that her signature stamp had been used without her authorization. She clarified that the language in a prior text exchange with Ruzumna did not imply that pro tem judges were entitled to parking discounts.

Throughout the proceedings, Ruzumna maintained that he believed he was entitled to the discount, citing his status as a county employee. However, the Commission found that his actions demonstrated a significant violation of the Code, particularly concerning honesty and integrity.

The Commission concluded that Ruzumna’s misuse of judicial authority and the official seals constituted serious misconduct. It emphasized that judges are held to a higher ethical standard than the general public and must uphold public confidence in the judiciary.

In its ruling, the Commission determined that Ruzumna violated Canon 1, Rules 1.1, 1.2, and 1.3 of the Code of Judicial Conduct. These rules pertain to compliance with the law, promoting confidence in the judiciary, and avoiding abuse of the prestige of judicial office. As a result of these findings, Ruzumna received a formal censure, along with a recommendation for removal from judicial office by the State Supreme Court.

From 2013 to 2023, Ruzumna regularly served as a pro tem judge for King County District Court and as a pro tem Commissioner for King County Superior Court. Currently, Ruzumna serves as a pro tem judge for Snohomish County District Court and various municipal courts in King and Snohomish Counties, including Kirkland, Mercer Island, Bothell, and Lynnwood.

A copy of the original filing can be found here.