Embattled King County Assessor John Wilson is now facing allegations that he violated the King County Ethics Code.
Embattled King County Assessor John Wilson is now facing allegations that he violated the King County Ethics Code, adding another chapter to a series of legal and personal troubles over the past year.
Wilson was arrested in July 2025 after his former fiancée, Lee Keller, reported he was outside her home despite an existing protection order in a domestic violence case, according to police and court records cited in previous reporting.
Criminal charges against Wilson were dismissed in June 2026 after prosecutors said the complainant in the case no longer wished to cooperate.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE
Now, the King County Office of the Ombuds says Wilson committed ethics violations involving his use of county resources, the authority of his office and campaign-related activity.
The Ombuds Office released its Ethics Report & Findings on Tuesday, concluding Wilson violated the King County Ethics Code in four separate sets of issues.
The investigation began after the office received a complaint in June 2025 alleging Wilson was using King County resources to contact, stalk and harass his former domestic partner. The Ombuds Office determined the complaint met filing requirements and opened an investigation.
According to Tuesday's findings, Wilson violated the following sections of the ethics code:
1. KCC 3.04.020(A): When John Wilson used County resources for his personal convenience by using his King County email address to engage in conduct expressly prohibited by court orders.
2. (A) - KCC 3.04.020(A): When John Wilson used County resources for his personal convenience and personal gain by using his County email address and an official King County government website linked to his photo and professional information to initiate and negotiate terms for a personal residential lease.
(B) - KCC 3.04.020(C): When John Wilson used the power or authority of the Assessor’s Office and/or his position as Assessor by using his County-issued email address, an official King County government website linked to his photo and professional information, and his position as Assessor in a manner intended to induce a property manager and/or property owner into a residential lease agreement for Assessor Wilson and his then-partner.
3. KCC 3.04.020(A): When John Wilson used County resources for his personal convenience by using his County email address to contact the King County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO), and particularly the Sheriff, to request KCSO perform a wellness check on his domestic partner.
4. KCC 3.04.020(E): When John Wilson used County facilities to participate or assist in a campaign for election by using the County email system, his County email address, and County software to support his 2025 campaign for King County Executive.
Investigators also found Wilson violated King County Information Technology's acceptable use policy after identifying sexually explicit language on county-owned technology assets.
The Ombuds Office is an independent office within the legislative branch of King County government. It investigates alleged employee ethics violations and issues findings using a preponderance of the evidence standard.
Wilson, who is serving his third term, had been running for King County executive at the time of his arrest but later dropped his campaign and announced he would not seek reelection as assessor.
