In the Media

The judicial conduct of Judge Paul Thompson of the Snohomish County Superior Court has become a central focus of both appellate review and federal civil rights litigation connected to the Bloom case. In the underlying family law matter, Judge Thompson issued an order restricting Bloom from filing reports with law enforcement or Child Protective Services unless the allegations were later determined to be substantiated. Bloom challenged the restriction in the Washington Court of Appeals, which ruled that the order violated her First Amendment rights.

Bloom asserts that despite the appellate ruling, Judge Thompson declined a formal request to clarify the record, leaving the unconstitutional order in place during critical stages of the proceedings. Appellate filings also allege that Thompson’s rulings relied heavily on testimony and reports from Guardian ad Litem Brian Parker. Parker later became the subject of a criminal referral for first degree perjury related to statements made during the proceedings. According to the federal complaint, Bloom alleges that the court relied on testimony that was later called into question and failed to take timely action once concerns about its accuracy emerged.

Judge Thompson later recused himself from the matter. Bloom maintains that earlier rulings in the case had significant and lasting consequences for the custody proceedings and the safety of her children. The case raises broader questions about judicial accountability and the responsibility of courts to operate within the constitutional protections guaranteed under the United States Constitution.