Newly appointed Tri-Cities judge will not have to reveal spouse’s business clients
A Tri-Cities judge has been granted an exception that will allow her spouse to keep his business client list private.
The Washington Public Disclosure Commission unanimously approved a modification for Judge Jennifer Azure’s financial disclosure on Thursday.
The exception means that Azure will not have to reveal the client list of a company her husband is CEO and partial owner of.
Azure was appointed to the Benton County District Court in December to fill the remainder of retired Judge Katy Butler’s term, and plans to run for a full term in November.
Before her appointment, Azure was a criminal defense attorney with a focus on juvenile cases, and served as a judge pro tem in different Tri-Cities courts.
Azure said her husband, who owns 26% of software and marketing company Wildland Labs, was concerned that disclosing his full client list would put the company with annual sales of $1.7 million at a competitive disadvantage, and allow other companies to underbid them.
Under state law, candidates are allowed to request a modification if disclosure of information about an immediate family member’s dealings will cause undue hardship. Azure also committed to recusing herself from any cases that involve clients of the business.
“His concern is, basically, providing documentation of businesses that are paying over a certain amount would cause a disadvantage to his business by allowing other businesses in the area to try and get in contact with those businesses and ... try to outsell them, or something to that effect,” Azure said.
“I normally don’t have any information regarding his day-to-day business clients, however there are a couple that I am aware of, and if there was a concern about whether or not I should recuse myself I have no problem doing so. There are five judges here in the Benton County District Court that could take any cases where there is potential conflict.”
The Public Disclosure Commission members voted unanimously to approve the modification. It is good for one year, so Azure will need to file for a renewal if she runs for office again after the November election.
PDC Deputy Director Kim Bradford told the Herald that the modification is only for her financial affairs disclosure, and does not impact campaign finance reporting.
The report is intended to give the public information to identify potential conflicts of interest.
Bradford said judges also have sets of standards that guide whether or not they should recuse themselves from a case.
This story was originally published March 25, 2022 at 12:58 PM.
