On Thursday, April 9, 2026, the Washington Supreme Court issued an order to censure and remove David Ruzumna, a Judge Pro Tempore, from his judicial office following a review of a recommendation from the Commission on Judicial Conduct. The ruling determined that Ruzumna’s actions warranted the severe sanction.
The case is entitled “In the Matter of Judge David Ruzumna,” with case number 202261-8.
The case originated from an incident on February 16, 2023, when Ruzumna attempted to obtain a discounted parking rate at the Goat Hill Garage, a facility primarily used by those working at or visiting the King County Courthouse. King County employees are eligible for a $10 reduction on the $30 daily parking fee. Judge Ruzumna created a document using a stamp of the King County District Court seal and the signature stamp of Judge Rebecca Robertson without permission. The document falsely stated that Ruzumna was an employee of the King County District Court.
The Commission on Judicial Conduct charged Ruzumna with violating Canon 1, Rules 1.1, 1.2, and 1.3 of the Code of Judicial Conduct (CJC). These rules pertain to compliance with the law, promoting confidence in the judiciary, and avoiding abuse of the prestige of judicial office. Following a hearing, the Commission concluded that Ruzumna had indeed violated CJC 1.1, 1.2, and 1.3.
Judge Ruzumna had served as a pro tempore judge for various courts, including the municipal courts of Seattle, Bothell, Kirkland, Mercer Island, and Everett, as well as the Snohomish County District Court, King County District Court, and King County Superior Court, since 2013. The incident occurred during his service as a pro tem judge for Judge Rebecca Robertson in King County District Court.
According to court documents, Ruzumna had been parking at the Goat Hill Garage in January 2023 and questioned the $30 fee. King County employees could receive a discounted rate by either verifying their employment status at a pay station or showing their employee badge. Pro tem judges do not receive a badge. Ruzumna showed the parking attendant his name placard and, on a later date, his judicial robe, neither of which was accepted as proof of employment.
After being denied the discount, Ruzumna created the letter using Judge Robertson’s signature stamp and the King County District Court seal without authorization. Human Resources conducted an investigation, and the court’s executive committee unanimously voted to remove Ruzumna from the pro tem list for King County District Court.
Judge O’Toole, a member of the executive committee, stated that the concern was not whether Ruzumna was entitled to the discount but the “incredible lack of judgment in preparing this letter and affixing a judge’s signature to it and then passing it off as true to parking officials was shocking, to say the least.”
The Supreme Court found that Ruzumna misused a sitting judge’s signature stamp and the official court seal to create a false or misleading document to gain discounted parking. This was determined to be a violation of CJC 1.2, constituting impropriety and a lack of integrity, and necessarily a violation of CJC 1.1.
The court also addressed Ruzumna’s claim that the document was covered in multiple random stamps as a joke, which he presented to the parking attendant. The Commission found that Ruzumna fabricated this story to conceal the truth, and the Supreme Court agreed.
The Supreme Court adopted the Commission’s recommendation to censure and remove Judge Pro Tem Ruzumna from office. The court stated that clear, cogent, and convincing evidence existed that Judge Ruzumna violated CJC 1.1, 1.2, and 1.3, and that honesty and integrity are critical traits for those entrusted with judicial office.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
