EVERETT — An Olympia man will get copies of police surveillance videos of bikini baristas engaging in lewd conduct, and a $45,000 check, under a settlement approved Wednesday evening by a unanimous vote of the Everett City Council.
The agreement puts an end to a lawsuit Arthur West filed against the city when it agreed to give him access to the videos but refused to provide copies.
The settlement was negotiated by city attorneys after a Snohomish County Superior Court judge ruled that West, who represented himself in court, had correctly argued that the state Public Records Act didn’t allow the city to withhold copies of the videos. The city had argued it shouldn’t be compelled to distribute what it called “non-consensual pornography” because it had received a public records request.
Under terms of the settlement, West has agreed not to publish the videos on the Internet, except for portions that may document public officials engaged in improper conduct. He also agreed to give the city notice prior to taking that step.
The videos were part of an investigation by Everett police and the FBI into coffee huts that evidence showed were being operated as drive-through brothels. Three people were convicted of felonies in the case, including a former Snohomish County sheriff’s sergeant.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.