A year and $80K later, a probe of WA fish and wildlife commissioners continues

An investigation of Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission members launched by Gov. Bob Ferguson last summer is taking longer and costing more than expected.

The tab is nearly $80,000 so far and could reach $130,000, more than triple the original price, according to recently obtained public records. Neither Ferguson nor his staff will say when the investigator’s report — originally due last fall — will be released. The latest contract extension runs through the end of August.

“To protect the integrity of the investigation, we will not comment on the specifics of the investigation until it is complete. I will note that it involves the review of a significant volume of records,” Brionna Aho, Ferguson’s communications director, said in an email.

Chiedza Nziramasanga of Transformative Workplace Investigations delivered findings on April 13. Those have been under review by the governor’s staff. As part of the process, the investigator recently contacted the Department of Fish and Wildlife’s deputy director with questions to clarify information.

https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/07/13/a-year-and-80000-later-a-probe-of-wa-fish-and-wildlife-commissioners-continues/