Legal Ethics
Ex-Employees Contend Judge Who Owns Towing Company Is Offering Low-Cost Legal Services
A Washington judge is violating state law by offering so-called pay-for-play low-cost legal services to property owners who use the auto towing company he owns, two former employees contend.
But Judge Ron Heslop of Bonney Lake says the two quit their jobs after he and the manager of Engel’s Towing objected to the way they treated customers, KING reports.
The state patrol is investigating the claims. If an incentive were to be offered to use a particular towing company, that would be illegal under Washington law, said Brad Benfield of the state Department of Licensing. “The law is very clear about prohibiting offering anything as an incentive—anything of monetary value.”
