The Washington Supreme Court weighed in on a judge's forging of a document to secure cheaper parking, deciding on Thursday to remove him from the bench.
David Ruzumna was working as a pro tem, or temporary, judge in King County District Court in 2023 when he allegedly created a fraudulent document with a judicial stamp and gave it to a parking attendant to obtain a discounted parking rate for county employees. Ruzumna argued that the incident was an ill-advised joke and that he was entitled to the discount.
The document used another judge's stamp without permission, according to the majority slip opinion issued Thursday. He admitted to making the fake document but argued his conduct warranted no more than an admonishment.
In a statement, Ruzumna said he has been honest and consistent about what happened" since 2023.
"I acknowledged my mistake immediately and tried to take responsibility for it," the statement said. "I respect the Court, but it got this one completely wrong. … I took this fight as far as it can go, so at this point all I can do is move on with my life with the same passion, integrity and gratitude that has always defined me to those who know me and have worked with me."
The state's Commission on Judicial Conduct decided last year that Ruzumna violated judicial code to avoid impropriety and censured Ruzumna with a recommendation that the state Supreme Court remove him from office. Ruzumna challenged the decision.
Ruzumna served as a pro tem judge for several courts, including Seattle Municipal Court, Snohomish County District Court, and district and superior courts in King County.
The incident pertained to an ongoing dispute concerning a discount parking rate available to King County employees, which allowed a $10 reduction from the usual $30 daily rate. County IDs were required to get the discount, and pro tem judges do not receive a badge.
Ruzumna had shown the attendant his name placard and judicial robes in an attempt to get the discount previously, which the attendant did not accept. Ruzumna testified the exchanges were "friendly and cordial," according to the slip opinion.
The fraudulent document stated Ruzumna was "employed with the King County District Court," bore a court seal and was stamped with the signature of the judge for whom Ruzumna was serving as pro tem. Only judges and clerks or administrative staff are allowed to use the court seal.
Judge Lisa O'Toole, a member of the district court's executive committee that voted to remove Ruzumna as a protest, said at the time that whether Ruzumna should get the staff discount was not the concern.
"The concern was 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," she said.
The opinion states Ruzumna did not reach out to human resources or the court administrator about the discount, and that his testimony was at times contradictory.
The slip opinion described Ruzumna's conduct as "deceitful, demonstrating a lack of integrity and judgment.
Ruzumna has served as a judge pro tem for about a decade and has a law practice focused on real estate and business law. He served as chair of the Washington State Bar Association's Character and Fitness Board in 2018. In 2012, Ruzumna ran for a judicial position on the King County Superior Court but lost in the primary.
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