July 15, 2020

City Manager Nathan West Involved In Two Scandals

Port Angeles City Manager Nathan West may have inappropriately and more importantly, unlawfully, used public funds for personal gain.

Apparently the city manager got himself into legal jeopardy regarding a First Amendment violation and then tries to use public funds to bail himself out.

Pubic officials and employees have the benefit of legal council if issues arise while on "official duty" and "involving official business" but not if unlawful conduct is involved

This could be criminal in several ways, first regarding the first amendment violation which in and of itself is civil but possibly criminal by suborning others to also engage in the acts then by using taxpayer funds and claiming "attorney client privilege" for advice he should not have been soliciting for in the first place.

Records requests show redactions for "advice" and "attorney client privilege" for each, or both, that he probably obtained unlawfully.

This is also a violation of Ordinance 2.64.030 that states;

2.64.030 - Exclusions.

A. The obligations assumed under this chapter by the City and the City Attorney shall not apply to:

1. Any dishonest, fraudulent, criminal, or malicious act of an official or employee;

2. Any act of an official or employee which is not performed on behalf of the City;

3. Any act which is outside the scope of an official's or employee's service or employment with the City;

Mr. West is accused of several unlawful acts and will in fact need to hire himself an attorney, at least one act is federal and will probably go to federal court and the others, if law enforcement investigates, may involve prison time.

The city council has also been made aware of the issues surrounding West but as usual sit on their behinds and do nothing but raise taxes. There may be, however, criminal conduct committed during executive sessions as well regarding the matters.

If they, the council, either through intimidation and or plain ignorance, provided funds for the conduct, violated the constitution themselves and not protecting it as their oaths demand, then they too are liable and placed themselves in legal jeopardy.

July 15, 2020 6:44am