SEATTLE (WA)
Seattle Times [Seattle WA]
March 3, 2026
By Caitlyn Freeman
The state Attorney General’s Office can enforce subpoenas to determine whether charitable funds were used to cover up sexual abuse by clergy members, a Washington appeals court ruled Monday.
In May 2024, then-Attorney General Bob Ferguson launched an investigation into the Seattle Archdiocese, the Diocese of Spokane and the Diocese of Yakima, to find out “whether recent reforms publicized by the Church are being implemented and whether they are effective,” according to the appellate court ruling.
However, the Seattle Archdiocese refused to fully comply with subpoenas.
A King County Superior Court judge ruled in 2024 that the attorney general couldn’t force the church to hand over documents. Monday’s decision overturned that ruling.
In the new court opinion, a panel of three judges found the Archdiocese can only seek a religious exemption from specific laws when it’s truly necessary to protect religious freedom.
“This means the AGO’s subpoena is supported by statutory authorization, and we therefore reverse and remand for further proceedings,” the ruling reads.
A spokesperson for the Seattle Archdiocese said via text Monday night: “Our legal team is reviewing the ruling and we are determining next steps.” It’s unclear if the church will appeal to the state Supreme Court.
In a statement on Monday’s decision, now-Gov. Ferguson called for the church to “do the right thing and engage in a public accounting of how the church handles allegations of child sex abuse.”
“This ruling is an important win for transparency,” said Ferguson, who is Catholic. “I am asking church leaders to reflect and pray about this unanimous court decision and stop fighting this investigation.”
The ruling is the latest chapter in the ongoing legal battle between Ferguson and the Archdiocese. A federal judge in Tacoma ruled the state could not enforce a law requiring clergy members to disclose knowledge of sexual abuse.