The Washington Commission on Judicial Conduct last week issued a written admonishment against former part-time Battle Ground Municipal Court Judge Roger Bennett after he contributed to and publicly endorsed a Camas mayoral candidate last summer.
Bennett acknowledged he violated the Code of Judicial Conduct when he made two monetary donations, totaling $350, to the candidate’s campaign and introduced her at a June 9 campaign kickoff rally. An admonishment is the least severe disciplinary action the commission can issue.
The commission did not identify the candidate; however, records from the Public Disclosure Commission show the contributions were made to Jennifer Senescu’s campaign.
“I was admonished by the Commission on Judicial Conduct for introducing and complimenting a political candidate at a meeting of her friends, and by donating to her campaign. My actions were truthful, honest and generous, but I mistakenly failed to analyze them under the Judicial Code,” Bennett said in a written statement to The Columbian. “The commission was very fair and reasonable in their resolution of the matter.”
Bennett was appointed to the judicial position in September 2012 and served through 2021. The city had previously decided not to renew his contract, which was unrelated to this matter. He previously served as a Clark County Superior Court judge for 21 years.
According to the stipulated facts of the case, Bennett has known Senescu and her husband for many years and considers them close friends. He did not reference his judicial position when introducing Senescu, nor did he identify his occupation when he made the campaign contributions. The commission also found that he was asked at the event to introduce Senescu and not beforehand.
The commission received an anonymous complaint in August and followed up with a confidential investigation. Bennett was served with a statement of allegations Dec. 3, alleging he violated the Code of Judicial Conduct by contributing to and publicly endorsing a nonjudicial candidate for public office.
Bennett “acknowledged his impropriety” and explained he did not act with bad intent, according to the order.
“Rather, he was inattentive to his ethical obligations as a part-time judge when he supported a long-time family friend’s mayoral campaign,” the order reads. In addition, he said he was unexpectedly asked to introduce Senescu at the event and failed to consider how doing so may be construed as a public endorsement, the order says.
In reaching its decision, the commission said it considered Bennett’s cooperation with the investigation, acknowledgement of responsibility and distinguished career as a public servant with no discipline history, as well as the fact that he’s no longer in judicial office.
“This admonishment will hopefully highlight the requirement to refrain from endorsing nonjudicial candidates for public office for other part-time judicial officers,” the order reads.
