Colfax man files lawsuit against Gov. Inslee

COLFAX - A Colfax resident is seeking an injunction in Superior Court to prevent Gov. Jay Inslee from further harming Whitman County.

Kevin Akesson filed a 17-page complaint May 11, calling for the governor to be restrained from further coronavirus quarantine actions. A status conference on the matter is set for 10 a.m. Monday.

"Now that it is clear that COVID-19 will not overwhelm hospital and other health care resources in Whitman County, there is no longer a 'disaster' or any other emergency justifying the issuance of orders pursuant to RCW 43.06.220," the complaint said, highlighting how the governor's orders have impacted constitutional rights, church services and political meetings.

In the complaint, Akesson said he is unable to access digital meetings via the internet due to limited broadband from his rural home.

"After his political party elected him to the county convention through the precinct caucus process, Akesson was unable to attend the county convention due to inadequate access to the internet," the complain said.

The complaint argues that unless restrained, the governor's proclamations will continue to harm Whitman County residents, the local economy and access to health care.

It further alleges that the governor's proclamations are unconstitutional under the state Constitution, Article II Section 1, and the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution, inasmuch as Gov. Inslee's orders deprive Akesson and others of their liberties and property without due process.

Akesson is seeking a declaratory judgment that the restrictions imposed by Inslee are not enforceable. He's also asking the court to declare that there is no state of emergency in Whitman County as health care resources have not been overwhelmed by COVID-19 cases, the premise Gov. Inslee used to support the need for quarantining residents and businesses statewide.

Akesson wants the court to issue an injunction blocking quarantine measures in Whitman Count.

The Colfax resident is seeking attorney and other legal fees from Gov. Inslee as well.

The governor's office, which has not yet commented on the lawsuit, is being defended by state Assistant Attorney General Zachary Jones.

A link to the hearing is available from the Whitman County webpage.