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Seattle, WA 98104

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Date: November 21, 2017

Sheriff responds to assault allegations

In October, Sheriff John Urquhart became aware of a groping allegation, leveled by former
deputy Brian Barnes, who was investigated for dishonesty and left the Sheriffs Office in 2014.
Urquhart ordered the investigation out-sourced, and it went to the Renton Police Department.
The results of that investigation were forwarded to the Snohomish County Prosecutors Office
for a filing decision.

Sheriff Urquhart has adamantly denied the allegation and was cleared by a recent
polygraph test, the results of which were forwarded to the Renton Police investigator.
Barnes has a history of making allegations going back at least twelve years to when he was a
police officer in Webster, MA. In fact, this is the third elected official against whom he has made
a criminal allegation just before an election.

Barnes has also filed official complaints over the years with the Sheriffs Office Internal
Investigations Unit, the King County Ombudsman, the King County Prosecutors Office, the
Seattle-King County Civil Rights Commission, the Office of Law Enforcement Oversight, and the
Washington Bar Association. None were ever vindicated during the review process.

In 2006, Barnes was sued for defamation by City of Webster Selectman Ray Regis after claiming
Regis was a cocaine dealer. The lawsuit was settled with a written apology from Barnes and a
cash payment.

Urquhart has also sued Barnes for defamation. A copy of the lawsuit is attached.

King County Sheriff's Office Contract Cities

Beaux Arts Burien Carnation ! Covington Kenmore ! Maple Valley ! Metro Transit Police
Newcastle SeaTac Sammamish ! Shoreline Skykomish Sound Transit Police ! Woodinville
As part of their investigation, the Renton Police contacted former detective Robin Cleary, who
vouched for Barnes veracity. However Cleary was also fired from the Sheriffs Office in 2014 for
dishonesty during the Darion Holiwell investigation.

A second deputy, Carl Cole was also quoted in the PC Certification and also vouched for Barnes.
Cole was an active member of Sheriff-elect Johanknechts election team, and is part of her
transition group. He is also lives with Johanknechts campaign manager Captain Jessica Sullivan.

Not only have I adamantly denied this scurrilous allegation from day one, but I've said it was
politically motivated. Now there should be no question.

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King County Sheriff's Office Contract Cities

Beaux Arts Burien Carnation ! Covington Kenmore ! Maple Valley ! Metro Transit Police
Newcastle SeaTac Sammamish ! Shoreline Skykomish Sound Transit Police ! Woodinville