Image: Kelly Kinnison, center, CEO of the King County Regional Homelessness Authority, stands in the back of the room during a news conference July 1 in Seattle announcing changes to the organization. (Ken Lambert / The Seattle Times)
The King County Regional Homelessness Authority is facing new allegations that its leadership interfered with public records requests, raising concerns about compliance with Washington’s transparency laws.
Brianne Bagby, the agency’s former public records officer, recently resigned, saying executive staff prevented her from independently reviewing records for nearly a year. Bagby said she lost access to the email search system after reviewing records related to agency layoffs in fall 2025. She later regained limited access, but only after the CEO’s chief of staff and communications director reviewed emails first.
Bagby alleged that this process restricted her ability to determine which records were responsive to public requests and whether legal exemptions applied. She said the practices violated the state Public Records Act. The agency’s spokesperson, Lisa Edge, declined to address the specific allegations because of pending litigation and personnel matters. She said the authority supports public access to records and does not automatically limit disclosures through labels or other means.
Government transparency advocates questioned why the agency would restrict its public records officer’s access and independence. Colette Weeks, executive director of the Washington Coalition for Open Government, said public records laws are intended to strengthen public trust and provide insight into how taxpayer funds are used.
The authority already faces a separate lawsuit filed by a former employee alleging violations of state transparency requirements. The state attorney general’s office also received a complaint from Bagby earlier this year, but its status remains unclear.
The controversy comes as the agency undergoes a significant restructuring following years of leadership turnover, budget concerns and a critical financial audit. Seattle and King County are taking back approximately $160 million in contracts and responsibilities, including oversight of homelessness services and funding priorities. The authority is expected to continue administering state and federal grants.
Under Washington law, agencies can face financial penalties for improperly withholding public records. The allegations add to questions about oversight and accountability as local governments reconsider how homelessness services are managed across the region.
