The investigation into the questionable acts by Bothell Mayor Joshua Freed, in regards to the purchase of the back-nine of the Wayne Golf Course, by a third party has already begun.
“The Washington Cities Insurance Authority, working with the City Attorney, has appointed outside counsel to conduct the independent investigation,” Bothell City Manager Bob Stowe said in an email.
While the investigation into the entire council has only just begun, more details have come to light that put in question the purchase by an, as yet, unnamed entity associated with Freed.
The biggest question is when the unnamed company started negotiations and with what companies.
According to state record, on Feb. 5 Freed created a new entity called ‘Wayne Manor LLC’ with North Creek Law Firm, owned and operated by Councilmember Mark Lamb, as the registered agent. In most of the organizations owned and operated by Freed, either Freed, Lamb or Lamb’s North Creek Law Firm, are the sole registered agents.
Of the 22 organizations Freed is listed as participating in, 10 have himself as the registered agent, 10 have Mark Lamb or the North Creek Law Firm as registered agent, including the Wayne Manor LLC, and there are two organizations listed a man from Lake Stevens as the registered agent.
Lamb has stated that he is not involved with the group that holds a purchase and sale agreement to buy the back-nine property and failed to correct the record when he was asked to recuse himself from city council due to his connections to the property sale.
The Reporter has also found that the Wayne Golf Course properties have never been listed publicly with an MLS. According to a source at the Commercial Broker’s Association in Seattle, the Wayne property hasn’t been publicly listed with an MLS since 1998.
The representative of the Commercial Broker’s Association also noted that, other than an MLS, there are a few uncommon ways that properties are publicly listed, including street signs stating intent to sell.
Freed declined to comment due to the ongoing investigation being conducted by the Washington Cities Insurance Authority, along with Bothell’s city attorney, Joe Beck.
Some in the community have suggested that the state get involved in the investigation.
A representative of the Washington State Attorney General’s office stated that they can neither confirm nor deny they have started an investigation into the issue until any potential investigation is concluded.
As the third party investigation by the Washington Cities Insurance Authority into the matter is underway, the Reporter has been inundated with letters to the editor from citizens on different sides of the Wayne fence.
“Wow! Why are these guys in city government? Apparently, it is so they can take personal profit from a position of influence,” said Steve Collins of Bothell in his letter. “Why did it take nine months for [Mayor Joshua] Freed to recuse himself from the proceedings on the golf course property? And [Councilman Mark] Lamb had to discuss the issue with city attorney and still waited until asked to offer his recusal.”
While there have been many on the side of condemning councilmembers actions concerning the Wayne, there are those who are supportive as well.
“Mayor Joshua Freed has been a key leader in the revitalization for the city of Bothell… Mayor Freed is a strong and positive leader who is also successful in his business,” said SL Pistole of Bothell in a letter. “I actually want leaders in government who understand the private sector and have made a living from something other than taxpayer dollars. Joshua Freed is a great mayor and Bothell is the better for it.”
