Still more legal repercussions associated with missing June 2020 text messages from a collection of high-ranking Seattle city officials, could there be legal ramifications?

In an interview with KIRO Radio, public records expert and Kirkland City Councilmember Toby Nixon provides insight.

The law is also relatively clear on the consequences for poor recordkeeping, Nixon notes. Knowingly deleting records is a felony, while unknowingly doing so could be considering a failure "to perform a duty imposed upon a public official," which would be a misdemeanor.

The obstacle, though, could end up being the willingness of King County Prosecutor Dan Satterberg or City Attorney Pete Holmes to pursue charges.

"You have to convince a prosecutor to actually file those charges and pursue them," Nixon said. "Would Pete Holmes or Dan Satterberg really do that? I have my doubts."