08/01/2026
📰 The independent investigator’s report into allegations against Washington Fish & Wildlife Commissioners and wildlife advocates has finally been released.
We’ll release a detailed analysis next week. In the meantime, read our full statement below and access the report athttps://wawildlifefirst.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/WDFW-Commission-Final-Report-Addendum.pdf
Statement from Dr. Fran J. Santiago-Ávila, Science & Advocacy Director, WW1:
We are reviewing the report released yesterday by Governor Ferguson’s office and expect to issue a full analysis next week. Several findings, however, are already clear.
The report provides substantial new evidence that WDFW Director Susewind and Deputy Director Windrope abused their authority by launching a pretextual investigation targeting wildlife advocates for protected First Amendment activities. In interviews conducted before we filed our civil rights lawsuit, they were candid about targeting Washington Wildlife First, Executive Director Claire Loebs Davis, and commissioners who communicated with us. The interviews indicate that their real concern was the threat Washington Wildlife First poses to their control over fish and wildlife policy—a system dependent on controlling information, suppressing dissent, and excluding the perspectives of most Washingtonians, who neither hunt nor fish.
We are disappointed by the report’s extremely limited scope. After nearly a year and more than $80,000 in taxpayer funds, the investigator interviewed only eight people and failed to consult readily available sources, such as commission meeting records, that could have resolved ambiguities and corrected factual errors. Most importantly, there was a lack of understanding of the investigation’s context. Instead, she appears to have accepted the scope, documents, and assertions provided by Susewind and Windrope without questioning them or examining their motivations.
We are also profoundly disturbed by the report’s apparent suggestion that pursuing legal action against a government agency limits one’s right to communicate with public officials. Washington Wildlife First has repeatedly used the courts to ensure WDFW follows the law. Exercising that right does not forfeit our right to speak, participate in government, or hold public officials accountable. The government cannot silence or exclude us as punishment for exercising our legal rights.
see: https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/07/31/fish-and-wildlife-commission-probe-finds-wrongdoing-doesnt-recommend-punishment/
