NAACP defends Lynnwood Councilmember Binda, accuses council president of retaliation

The NAACP Snohomish County has released its first report on accusations surrounding Lynnwood Councilmember Josh Binda.

The report, which the NAACP says is the first in an ongoing investigation, focuses on Lynnwood Council President Shannon Sessions and alleges she created a hostile work environment, used retaliatory tactics, and had inappropriate communication with the media.

Following the release of the report, Binda, said at a press event that he has "been targeted, subjected to a web of lies orchestrated by my own council leadership, and also lies intended to aid an effort to recall me out of my position that I was elected to."

The NAACP began an investigation into what it calls the "targeting of Lynnwood City Councilmember Joshua Binda" in May, following a string of controversial headlines. A recall effort began around the same time, which was approved by a judge in June.

At the Thursday press event, Gerald Hankerson, president of the NAACP of Alaska, Oregon and Washington, called Sessions a "Karen" and alleged that she used "racists tools" because she didn't like that Binda, a Black man, had beat an incumbent.

One allegation addressed in the report is that Binda attended a leadership conference in Washington, D.C., as a Lynnwood city official. He then requested that the cost of the trip be paid for with city funds. Sessions has said that the trip was not approved by the council and was therefore unsanctioned and should not be paid for with taxpayer dollars.

The NAACP disputes Sessions' characterization of Binda's trip. According to the organization's report, "City policy states that each Council member is allocated $2,500 to be used at their discretion for personal edification or City business. Mr. Binda had the authority to utilize his allocated funds for the trip. He did not need permission from the Council President or the Council."

Sessions also said that there was little evidence that Binda attended conference events, and that he did not provide receipts for the trip. But according to the NAACP report, "Witnesses and video evidence confirmed that he gave the closing speech for the youth delegates session as a replacement for Congressman Maxwell Frost..."

The NAACP report also concludes:

"Based on the NAACP Snohomish County’s investigation, to date, it is evident that the allegations made against Councilperson Joshua Binda by Council President Shannon Sessions were found to be untrue or lacking merit. The investigation established that Mr. Binda had the authority to use his discretionary funds for travel. Concerns were raised regarding the Council’s attempts to influence reimbursement decisions and actions taken to create barriers that interfered with Mr. Binda’s ability to perform his duties as a council person, suggesting potential violations of proper protocol. Additionally, the complaints regarding ethics were acknowledged as unintentional and resolved by mutual agreement."

Responding to the NAACP report, Lynnwood Council President Shannon Sessions told KUOW that the city has rules for all its elected officials, which apply to every council member. Sessions did not speak to any specific allegations, but argued that this latest news is an example of Councilmember Binda "deflecting and not taking responsibility for his own poor decisions."

Sessions full statement to KUOW:

"We only wanted council member Binda to succeed and many people have tried to help him. As council president, it is my responsibility the city council is following its own rules. I don’t do this in a vacuum, other council members, attorneys, staff and community members have all weighed in on best ways to address ongoing concerns regarding CM Binda.

All of the rules and regulations that are on the books and that have been updated by a major majority of the city council, are applicable to all of us, and the rest of us have no problem complying with them.

Sadly, this is another example of councilmember Binda deflecting and not taking responsibility for his own poor decisions, and thinking he is above everyone else and that the rules all other elected officials are required to follow don’t apply to him.

I’m glad the NAACP is finally coming alongside councilmember Binda. Hopefully they can help mentor him."

Allegations outlined in the NAACP report

There are five total findings in the NAACP's report, addressing: a hostile work environment, allegations of an unauthorized trip, inappropriate communication with the media, retaliatory actions, and an ethics complaint.

The report claims that emails prove President Sessions began an ethics committee in response to Binda's successful election, and therefore, Binda was "stepping into a hostile work environment created by Shannon Sessions."

The NAACP accuses Council President Sessions of going around the city's communications officer to provide statements to the media, which it calls "inappropriate."

The ethics complaint involves an incident when Binda used the council chambers to film a promotional video for his personal business, as well as using his city email for personal business, violating rules around elected officials using city resources for personal gain. The NAACP states that these actions were unknowing mistakes, "not an intentional act, and was resolved through a settlement agreement with the Council."

The NAACP also alleges that the Lynnwood City Council passed new rules that hindered Binda's ability to make a living and serve on the council — actions it claims are retaliatory.

Controversy around Councilmember Binda

While the NAACP's first report focuses on the Lynnwood City Council's president, other issues have arisen surrounding Binda and could be the subject of future reports from the ongoing investigation.

Binda began facing controversy before he officially came onto the Lynnwood City Council. In late 2021, Washington's Public Disclosure Commission investigated complaints that Binda did not timely and accurately report campaign finances, and that he also used campaign funds for personal use. In particular, campaign funds were used to purchase haircuts, airplane tickets, and fashion items from brands like Versace. Binda has said that these purchases were mistakes because he was a first-time candidate, and that the misused funds were paid back before any complaints were made.

Binda did not initially pay fines to the state for the campaign violations, which added up to $1,250. However, on July 6, a Snohomish County Superior Court judge ordered him to pay.

The recall effort against Binda is leaning heavily on an Instagram post where he poses shirtless, promoting his business as a public speaker "to speak to and inspire kids all over the state, country, and eventually world." The post mentions his religious journey and features his “Love Conquers All” tattoo. “Love Conquers All” is the foundation of Binda's brand.

Binda's TikTok account has also been criticized for his videos that state older people (above the age of 50 or 60) should not hold elected office.