Bainbridge Island Sued Over Councilwoman’s Texts

BAINBRIDGE ISLAND, Wash. (AP) – Two residents are suing the city of Bainbridge Island, saying the city violated the state’s Public Records Act in its handling of a councilwoman’s text messages.

The Kitsap Sun reports the suit filed last week in Kitsap County Superior Court stems from a records request David Dunn made asking for records from Bainbridge City Council members related to environmental regulations and land-use issues.

Dunn says when he received the records, text messages from Jan. 2, 2018 through June 21, 2018 from Councilwoman Rasham Nassar’s phone were missing.

Dunn said says he was told that Nassar’s baby destroyed the phone by placing it in a jar of olives.

Dunn and resident Brian Wilkinson, who had also asked for Nassar’s messages, claim the city should have had a way to recover the messages.

City Manager Morgan Smith said the city is reviewing the lawsuit.