On March 3, 2026, a Washington state appeals court issued a unanimous ruling in a significant Washington clergy abuse investigation. The court found that the state Attorney General's Office can enforce subpoenas against the Archdiocese of Seattle, the Diocese of Spokane, and the Diocese of Yakima.
The investigation centers on whether the Catholic Church in Washington used charitable donations to conceal decades of clergy sexual abuse. For survivors, this is a step toward transparency, and a reminder that civil legal options exist independently of any government investigation.
What the March 3 Ruling Said
The Washington State Court of Appeals, Division I, reversed a 2024 King County Superior Court ruling that had blocked the investigation.
The appeals court found that:
Religious corporations cannot claim a blanket exemption from the Attorney General's investigative authority;
The religious exemption applies narrowly, only where necessary to protect constitutional religious freedoms;
The subpoena is enforceable under Washington's Charitable Trust Act, limited to evidence relevant to criminal or tortious conduct; and
The case returns to the trial court to narrow the subpoena's scope.
Governor Bob Ferguson, who launched the investigation while serving as Attorney General, called the ruling a win for transparency and asked church leaders to stop fighting the investigation.
What the Attorney General's Investigation Is Actually Looking For
The AG's office first subpoenaed the three dioceses in July 2023. The subpoenas seek records dating back to January 1, 1940, covering:
Clergy accused or suspected of sexual abuse or misconduct,
Disciplinary actions and reassignments,
Communications with law enforcement,
Settlements with survivors, and
Financial records related to how the Church managed abuse allegations.
The core question is whether the Catholic Church in Washington used funds held in charitable trust to pay legal defense costs, relocate accused priests, or suppress complaints rather than using those funds for their intended charitable purposes.
Why the Seattle Archdiocese Refused to Cooperate
The Archdiocese argued it was categorically exempt from the Attorney General's subpoena power as a religious corporation. The trial court agreed in 2024.
The appeals court rejected that argument, finding that no institution can claim immunity from an inquiry into allegations of abuse and cover-up.
Archbishop Paul Etienne has since said the Archdiocese shares the same goals as the AG's office. He also objected to the original subpoena's scope, describing a request for every receipt from all Washington parishes and schools since 1940 as producing irrelevant documents at enormous cost. The Archdiocese says it remains open to working with the AG's office on a narrower request.
What Charitable Funds Have to Do With Clergy Abuse Cover-Ups
Charitable trust law gives the state oversight authority over how organizations manage funds donated for charitable purposes. If the Catholic Church used those funds to:
Move accused priests to new assignments rather than remove them,
Pay legal fees defending clergy or the institution against abuse claims, and
Settle complaints quietly and keep them out of the public record.
That would potentially constitute a misuse of charitable funds and fall within the AG's investigative jurisdiction. Charitable trust law does not expire the way criminal statutes of limitations do, which is part of why this investigation matters for survivors whose window to pursue criminal charges has long closed.
What This Ruling Means for Clergy Abuse Survivors in Washington State
The ruling does not resolve any individual claim, and it does not guarantee documents will be produced quickly. The case returns to the trial court, and the Archdiocese may still appeal to the Washington Supreme Court.
What it does mean:
Washington clergy abuse records the AG has sought since 2023 may become accessible,
Documented evidence of cover-up patterns could strengthen existing civil cases, and
Religious institutions in Washington cannot use their status to evade accountability for criminal or harmful conduct.
It is also worth noting that SB 5375, a separate law that would have required clergy to report suspected child abuse even when disclosed in confession, has been blocked by a federal court injunction. That legal fight is ongoing.
Civil Lawsuits Remain an Option Regardless of the Investigation's Outcome
The AG's investigation operates on its own timeline and serves a different purpose than a civil lawsuit filed by a survivor. Survivors in Washington do not need to wait for the investigation to conclude before pursuing a claim.
If you were abused by a Catholic clergy member in Washington, an attorney can help you understand what options remain available and whether civil statutes of limitations apply to your situation.
The case review is confidential. If you are ready to talk, Help Law Group is ready to listen. Contact us today.