New information is emerging about factors that may have contributed to Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson’s decision to seek the resignation of former Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes, including a federal tax lien, questions about his availability during a deadly mass shooting, and reported disagreements over public safety policy.
Government records from Cook County, Illinois showed the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) filed a federal tax lien against Barnes and his wife for $86,841.14 in unpaid taxes, penalties, and interest. The lien, filed in February 2025, applies to property owned by the couple and was recorded about one month after Barnes was appointed Seattle’s interim police chief.
Wilson has not publicly cited the tax lien as a reason for requesting Barnes’ resignation.
During a Friday news conference, Wilson said she asked Barnes to step down because of multiple concerns surrounding his leadership, including communication issues between the mayor’s office and the Seattle Police Department (SPD)…