By Miki Mullor

Special Coverage

Dec. 15, 2023: A King County Superior Court judge today dismissed a lawsuit filed by former city councilman Ramiro Valderrama alleging Public Records Act violations.

The judge granted a Summary Judgment motion by the city and denied a competing motion by Valderrama. The case was slated to go to trial in March, but a Summary Judgment means there was enough evidence to conclude the case based on information already filed with the court. The ruling is a sweeping victory for the city and a crushing defeat for Valderrama.

In ruling for the city and against Valderrama, Judge Paul Crisalli concluded that several pieces of Valderrama’s testimony, declarations, and depositions he obtained were based on hearsay and speculation.

A political and legal saga, the PRR case was started by Valderrama against the city and several council members almost two years ago.

Superior Court Judge Paul Crisalli’s order:

• Exonerates former Mayor Christie Malchow, former council member Ken Gamblin and council member Kent Treen of wrongdoing.
• Ends a host of conspiracy theories advanced by Valderrama since late 2021.
• Found that certain depositions and testimony were based on hearsay and speculation.

Valderrama filed his lawsuit after engaging in a year-long public campaign in which he accused Malchow 26 times during city council meetings in 2022 of breaking the public records law. Valderrama, who coined his accusations “Malchowgate”, did not present evidence during these meetings to back his accusations.