Mayor Don Britain fired from job at DSHS following WSP investigation

Don Britain was fired from his job at the Department of Social and Health Services following an investigation into allegations of employee misconduct.

An anonymous complaint alerted DSHS officials about an alleged inappropriate relationship with a client.

"We referred the complaint over to the Washington State Patrol for investigation, and that he had engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a client on his caseload," said Nora West, spokesperson for DSHS.

The investigative report details information about a relationship with the client, that included at least one trip to Hawaii. The client also reportedly received money and extra benefits from Britain, and didn't report that as income.

Lease records included in the investigation show that Britain and the client, who was born in 1993, moved into an apartment together in January of 2019.

During questioning with Washington State Patrol and DSHS, Britain said his relationship with the woman was not romantic.

"If you ask me if I crossed the line, I did," Britain responded to a question from investigators. "I'm not ashamed of it. Don't regret it."

According to a press release, Britain had worked with DSHS for more than 20 years, the last 17 as a WorkFirst program specialist.

DSHS officials confirmed that this was the first investigation related to Britain's work with the agency.

It's not known if Britain could face criminal charges.

Britain was elected to the Kennewick City Council in January 2010, according to the biographical information posted on the city website. He was appointed as Mayor Pro-Tem in 2013.

He was appointed Mayor on January 1, 2018 when then-Mayor Steve Young stepped down because of a lawsuit involving his job as a Hanford contractor.