Embattled Lynnwood politician blames late financial filings on not knowing how to write checks

LYNNWOOD, Wash. — An embattled Lynnwood City Council member testified he failed to pay his outstanding fines for penalties from the Washington Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) because he didn't have a checkbook and didn't understand how to properly fill out a check.

Josh Binda, 23, was elected to Lynnwood City Council, Position No. 3, in 2021. He was the youngest African American to win public office in the history of the city of Lynnwood and Washington state.

On Thursday, the PDC ruled that Binda must pay $1,250 in outstanding fees because he filed his public financial affairs statement several weeks late. According to the PDC, it was the second time that Binda delayed filing his financial records.

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"I had seen that it was common for other politicians to have had late filings, so I didn't think it was as severe, especially if it was two weeks or so," he told the PDC. "The deadline is the deadline, and there are thousands of people in the state of Washington who also have to file F1s," responded Nancy Isserlis, PDC Chair.

Binda responded that he couldn't pay his filing fees because payments were due in check form.

"This may sound young of me. I've never written a check or done a checkbook or any of that sort," he testified, adding that he attempted to pay the fines electronically but no system exists to process electronic payments.

Beyond the PDC hearing, Binda faces an ongoing recall effort for numerous alleged ethics violations.

Binda was accused of accessing Lynnwood City Hall after hours and making a personal promotional video in the middle of the building. He was also accused of using his city-wide email address to promote his speaking tour. In the process of advertising for that tour, he also used a shirtless picture as his main promotion. Binda's tour was aimed at teenagers and young people, and his racy picture generated controversy after it was posted on Instagram.

In addition to ethics complaints, the Public Disclosure Commission opened a formal investigation and found Binda spent $2,742.49 of campaign funds on designer items, dental work, hair, airfare, and entertainment tickets.

“I’d like to apologize to the community and look forward to doing better," Bindatold constituentsduring a May 8, 2023, meeting.

In terms of legal action, 2,400 signatures are now needed for Binda's recall to appear on the ballot.