Disciplinary Actions

For details about many of these disciplinary actions, you can look up a license.

    Formal Actions 

    2023

    Professional Engineering 

    Clifton W. Berkey, PE - 2020-12-1960-00ENG 
    AGREED ORDER

    Violations of lack of understanding of geotechnical engineering design principles for two projects he designed.  The projects did not meet regulatory requirements. 

    • Upon the effective date of the AGREED ORDER Respondent’s license to practice is suspended for one year and Respondent is assessed a fine in the amount of five thousand (U.S.) dollars ($5,000).  The license suspension and fine are stayed (not imposed) contingent upon Respondent complying with the following conditions:
    • Respondent shall not practice geotechnical engineering services.
    • Respondent will either hire a Professional Engineer (PE) competent to perform geotechnical engineering services or use an existing report by a PE competent to perform geotechnical engineering services that has already been performed, provided and/or paid for by others according to the standard generally expected of those practicing professional engineering, for projects requiring geotechnical engineering services. The following non-exhaustive list contains examples of work that requires Respondent to retain geotechnical engineering services:
      • Foundations on or near soft soils 
      • Deep excavations
      • Design/construction near or on slopes
      • Retaining walls 
    • For a period of one (1) year, Respondent will submit to the Board, on a quarterly basis, a report of work he is performing, if that work involves geotechnical engineering services or the services identified in 5.3.  Respondent will include in the report, the name and contact information of the PE performing the geotechnical engineering services.  The Board may audit any of the work submitted by the Respondent. If through an audit, the Board finds deficiencies in Respondent’s work, correction will be required at Respondent’s expense.
    • Respondent shall be responsible for all costs, expenses, fees and/or tax consequences incurred by the Respondent in complying with this AGREED ORDER.
    • Should the Respondent fail to comply with any of the terms or conditions of this AGREED ORDER, the Board will initiate administrative steps for imposition of the stayed penalties and/or additional sanctions authorized by law and deemed appropriate.  In making a determination of compliance under the terms of this AGREED ORDER, the Board may rely upon the records in their possession, or lack thereof, in reaching such a decision.


    Steven P. Morta, PE - 2023-02-0191-00ENG 
    AGREED ORDER

    Respondent showed a lack of understanding of design principles for a project he designed and certified the project was built to specifications in Tacoma, Washington. The project did not meet regulatory requirements. 

    • Upon the effective date of the Agreed Order Respondent’s license to practice is suspended for two years and Respondent is assessed a fine in the amount of five thousand (U.S.) dollars ($5,000).  The license suspension and fine are stayed (not imposed) contingent upon Respondent complying with the following conditions: 
    • Respondent will no longer design buildings or other structures that require the preparation of structural construction documents and/or calculations without a peer review of the work, as described below. 
    • Respondent will enter into a peer review contract agreement for the two-year stayed suspension.  The contract will be executed within 30 days of the signed Agreed Order and a copy of the finalized contract will be provided to the Board.  The contract will include a requirement for a quarterly report, from the peer reviewer to the Board.  The report will include project-specific summaries clearly detailing the work reviewed and the progress made by Respondent.
    • During the two-year stayed suspension, Respondent will submit, to the peer reviewer, all structural engineering designs for peer review and successfully respond to peer review comments. 
    • During the two-year stayed suspension, Respondent will not submit any structural designs for permitting prior to successful peer review process. 
    • During the two-year stayed suspension, Respondent will provide to the Board, monthly, a listing of and status of projects under design which include preparation of structural construction documents and/or calculations.
    • Respondent will be responsible for all costs related to the peer review contract.
    • Respondent shall be responsible for all costs, expenses, fees and/or tax consequences incurred by the Respondent in complying with this Agreed Order.
    • Should the Respondent fail to comply with any of the terms or conditions of this Agreed Order, the Board will initiate administrative steps for imposition of further penalties and/or sanctions authorized and deemed appropriate.  In making a determination of compliance under the terms of this Agreed Order, the Board may rely upon the records in their possession, or lack thereof, in reaching such a decision. 


    Professional Land Surveying 

    Peter Jonas - 2021-04-1006-00LSV 
    AGREED ORDER

    Respondent performed an erroneous survey and had several deficiencies on his original survey and amended record of surveys, all of which were found to be in violation of Chapter 58.09 RCW and Chapter 332-130 WAC. 

    Effective June 22, 2023, the Respondent’s professional land surveyor license will be permanently retired in lieu of disciplinary action.

    2022

    Unlicensed Land Surveying 

    Kent Huxel - 2021-08-2070-00LSV/2022-10-1445-00LSV 
    Violations of unlicensed practice of surveying. 

    A permanent cease & desist order was issued: 

    • Mr. Huxel shall permanently cease and desist from the unlicensed practice of land surveying and engineering in the state of Washington.
    • Mr. Huxel shall not represent himself or his business to current or potential clients or the public, as being able to provide and/or perform professional land surveying or professional engineering services in the State of Washington. This includes: making any statement, directly or indirectly, to any individual or to the public being able to provide and/or perform professional land surveying or professional engineering services, until they file a Certificate of Authority with the Board; distributing any advertisement or offering that suggests the Respondent's officers or employees can provide professional land surveying or professional engineering services; and participating in any capacity in the dissemination of advice, estimates, suggestions or recommendation to any individual or the public where such remarks could be interpreted to convey the impression that its officers or employees are competent and conversant in the profession of land surveying or professional engineering. 
    • Mr. Huxel shall not distribute to any client or public agency any document, including but not limited to letterhead, business cards, maps, or website references, which show either the firm, its officer, and/or employees are offering professional land surveying or professional engineering activities.
    • Pursuant to the terms of the Temporary Cease and Desist Order entered on November 2, 2022, the Board imposed a thirty thousand dollar ($30,000.00 (U.S.)) fine against Mr. Huxel. 
    2021

    Engineering 

    Muhannad R. Attili, PE - 2020-02-0091-00ENG 
    Violations of unprofessional conduct. 

    Mr. Attili’s professional engineer license will be suspended for 1 year. That suspension will be stayed on the condition Mr. Attili meets the following: 

    • Within 9 months, Mr. Attili will pay a $2,500 fine.
    • Within 30 days, Mr. Attili will refund the client’s $600, and provide proof to the Board.
    • Within 90 days, Mr. Attili must successfully complete and pass the Law Review Exam. 


    On-site Septic System Designing 

    Sally Little - 2020-09-0912-00OSW & 2020-10-1289-00OW 
    Violations of competency issues. 

    • Ms. Little voluntarily surrenders her license to practice as an on-site wastewater treatment system designer in the State of Washington.
    • Ms. Little agrees that she will not apply for licensure again as an on-site wastewater treatment system designer in the State of Washington. 


    Unlicensed Engineering 

    Ryan Hawkins - 2021-09-2283-00ENG 
    Unlicensed practice of engineering.

    • Mr. Hawkins shall permanently cease and desist from offering to practice professional engineering in the State of Washington.  
    • Mr. Hawkins shall not own, operate, manage, control, or possess an equity interest in any firm, organization, or entity offering professional engineering services in the State of Washington, with the exception of publicly traded companies. 
    • Mr. Hawkins shall never apply to take the Professional Engineer Exam and shall never apply for licensure as a Professional Engineer in the State of Washington. 
    • Within sixty (60) days of the effective date of this AGREED ORDER Mr. Hawkins shall create a list of clients, individuals, or entities for whom he is, or has in the past, provided any services that constitute professional engineering services and shall notify all clients, individuals, or entities identified that he is not, and was not, a registered professional engineer and Respondent shall provide the Board (1) a copy of the list he has assembled and (2) proof of notification for all clients, individuals, or entities on the list. 
    • Within one hundred and twenty (120) days of the effective date of this AGREED ORDER Mr. Hawkins shall pay a fine to the Board, by check or money order, in the amount of thirty thousand dollars ($30,000.00 (U.S.)). 
    • Mr. Hawkins shall destroy any seal bearing his name as a professional engineer and provide satisfactory proof of such destruction to the Board within 30 days of the entry of this Agreed Order. 
    • Mr. Hawkins shall not distribute to any client or public agency any document, including but not limited to: letterhead, business cards, maps, or website references, which show either the firm, its officer and/or employees as having been involved or offer professional engineering activities. 
    • Mr. Hawkins shall not represent himself or his business to current or potential clients or the public, as being able to provide and/or perform professional engineering services in the State of Washington. This includes: making any statement, directly or indirectly, to any individual or to the public being able to provide and/or perform professional engineering services, until they file a Certificate of Authority with the Board; distributing any advertisement or offering that suggests the Respondent’s officers or employees can provide professional engineering services; and participating in any capacity in the dissemination of advice, estimates, suggestions or recommendation to any individual or the public where such remarks could be interpreted to convey the impression that its officers or employees are competent and conversant in the profession of professional engineering. 
    2020

    On-Site Wastewater Treatment Designers

    Ron Dalle – Cle Elum, WA
    Findings: Unprofessional conduct related to the practice of on-site septic system designing.
    Action: Fined $5,000 and complete classes offered by the Washington On-Site Sewage Association.


    Unlicensed Engineering

    Nick Bianco, Parks and Restroom Structures, Inc. – Spokane, WA

    Findings: Engaged in unlicensed practice of engineering, and copied and used a professional engineer’s stamp and signature on construction drawings.
    Action: Fined $500. Must cease and desist from offering to practice or practice engineering in Washington.

    Russell Shannon Bodge & Pacific Northwest Engineering – Tacoma, WA

    Finding: Practicing as a PE when license was suspended for non-payment of child support and Pacific Northwest Engineering was providing services without a valid certificate of authorization.
    Action: Five year stayed suspension beginning after DSHS order is lifted. Provide a list of projects completed while license was suspended. Provide references from other licensees and clients. Provide letter on how licensee came into compliance. Take and pass law review exam.

    2019

    Professional Land Surveyors

    Leonard James – Olympia

    Finding: Incompetence, unprofessional conduct.
    Action: 2-year suspension stayed, not imposed, for 2 years if the sanctions of the order are satisfied. Fined $10,000. Retired license.
     

    Leonard James – Olympia

    Finding: Incompetence, unprofessional conduct.
    Action: 2-year suspension stayed for 2 years if the sanctions of the order are satisfied. Must attend LSAW refresher course & fined $10,000.

    Ed Spears – Clarkston

    Finding: Multiple technical violations and unprofessional conduct, failure to cooperate.
    Action: Fined $1,000. Must attend LSAW refresher course.

    Richard Rossum – Kennewick

    Finding: Unprofessional conduct, violation of a board order.
    Action:

    • 2-year stayed suspension applied to professional land surveyor license 41966.
    • Required LSAW class


    Professional Engineers

    Joshua Marrow – Eureka, CA

    Finding: Didn't have a structural engineering certificate of registration as required. Unlicensed practice.
    Action: Fined $15,000.

    Partner Assessment Corporation – Torrance, CA

    Finding: Practicing engineering without a Certificate of Authorization, didn't have a structural engineer review plans as required, and improper use of stamp/signature.
    Action: Fined $20,000

     

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