Nepotism at its Finest for the Spokane City Council Majority

Spokane, WA - Tonight, Council President Breean Beggs and the Spokane City Council Majority hired Council Member Karen Stratton’s husband, Christopher J. Wright in a clear case of nepotism. 

But it’s even worse than that. 

In February of 2020, in lieu of discipline, Wright chose to resign from the Washington State Bar Association, forfeiting his ability to practice law in Washington State. Wright allegedly violated multiple rules of professional conduct: communication, diligence, expediting litigation, and misconduct. 

“This is nepotism at its finest,” said John Estey, Executive Director of the Spokane Good Government Alliance. “It’s bad enough that Wright is a failed business owner after filing for bankruptcy in 2019, but he also can’t even legally practice law in Washington State. This City Council Majority is more concerned with giving six figure jobs to political allies and family members than doing the work we sent them there to do.”

“Wright’s history of misconduct shows just how unfit he is to serve in this role. Why Council President Beggs and the City Council Majority thinks Wright is the best candidate for this position is unexplainable. If Wright was not the husband to Council Member Stratton, he wouldn’t get this job. Nepotism is the only explanation.” Estey said.  

Spokane citizens will recall that this isn’t the first time Councilwoman Stratton used taxpayers to personally benefit her and her husband’s own interests. Stratton inappropriately used her position as Councilwoman to send a letter to Pasco on City of Spokane letterhead on behalf of her and Wright’s marijuana business. This action clearly violated Spokane City ethics rules and resulted in the Ethics Commission unanimously finding she violated three different provisions in the City’s Ethics Code.

“Now, less than four years later, Stratton is using her position as City Councilwoman to benefit herself again. And what’s worse - the rest of the majority on Council are helping her do it. The continued pattern of this Council Majority using their positions to politically and personally benefit themselves is unconscionable. Spokane Citizens deserve more from their elected officials.”

The Washington State Bar Association accused Wright of “1) failing to reasonably communicate with litigation clients, including failure to respond to or act on multiple email and voicemail messages, failure to inform clients of discovery requests, and failure to inform clients about motions and entry of orders on summary judgment; and 2) failing to diligently represent clients, including failure to comply with client’s directions and requests, failure to respond to or appear for hearings, failure to respond to discovery requests, failure to draft and file summary judgment motions, and failure to notify clients of and respond to summary judgment motions”. Wright chose to resign his license to practice law in Washington rather than face disciplinary action. 

The Policy Advisor position, added by the left leaning City Council Majority in 2015, was part of the Council’s taxpayer dollar spending spree that saw their office budget increase by 175%. According to Section 02.005.060 of the Spokane Municipal Code, the Policy Advisor is tasked with providing legal advice including “assist in the research and develop legislative policies and ensure that legal documents are drafted, reviewed and interpreted in compliance with all various legal requirements as per applicable laws.”

The Spokane Good Government Alliance was formed in 2019 and advocates for a balanced local government that best serves the Citizens of Spokane.