Seattle-area journalist accused of squatting, fraud, using fire dept. position to livestream incidents without knowledge of first responders

A Seattle-area journalist who boasts millions of social media fans is being accused of squatting, construction fraud, and abusing his position in the fire department to be the first to cover a story. Independent journalist Steve Hickey, known for being first on the scene and breaking big stories, is facing mounting allegations of fraud, theft, and intimidation. Hickey is also a King County Fire Commissioner in Ravensdale. 

Earlier this month, Senior fellow for the Discovery Institute Jonathan Choe and YouTube journalist Tyler Oliveira revealed that Hickey is squatting in a million-dollar home in Ravensdale and is refusing to leave, even though he has no lease and records show the house was purchased by a new owner. The dispute is currently being argued in court.

King County Bar Association's embattled Housing Justice Project represented Hickey in the early stages of his alleged squatting case, but Hickey has since moved on and retained a new attorney. In response to the expose, Hickey put out a video portraying himself as the victim and taking personal shots at Choe but provided no evidence that he had the right to remain on the property.  

After the story debuted, more alleged victims came forward, accusing Hickey of running construction hustles for years. Hickey previously owned and operated the Meridian Build Group and was seen as a rising star in the industry. He even worked on the West Seattle home of Democratic State Senator Joe Nguyen.

However, in 2018, records showed mounting complaints and lawsuits against the company. According to the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries, Hickey still owes contractors and homeowners close to $400,000 and is no longer licensed to operate in the state.

Hickey has also been sued multiple times over the last decade for his questionable business practices. Angel Soriano, a contractor, told Choe that he is out over $100,000 after laying concrete for Hickey and that he can’t go to the police since it is considered a civil matter, and doesn’t have the time or resources for litigation.

Others told Choe they are too embarrassed to go on record and are concerned that Hickey will retaliate against anyone who complains. A source who worked with Hickey at Meridian who wished to remain anonymous for fear of retaliation claimed to know of at least 5 victims and called him a “charlatan” and a “con man.”

In response to the allegations against Hickey, Nguyen said in a statement, “I had a good experience with Steve, but I am also devastated for the other victims.” 

Hickey is now also being accused of abusing his position of power as commissioner at Fire District 47. South King County Fire Captain Bradley Chaney sent out a scathing email to all public information officers in the region warning them about Hickey’s “lack of professionalism and integrity.”

Hickey has also been accused of using his position in the department to access highly sensitive situations in the field and then livestream it on social media without the knowledge of first responders.

  
On Friday evening he was placed on administrative leave from the department pending the outcome of an investigation.

One of Hickey’s alleged victims, Katrina Freitag, who owns the house Hickey is currently living in, told Choe that she doesn’t necessarily want to see Hickey canceled but that she does believe in redemption if his victims are made whole. However, she does want to make sure that this never happens again and is urging any more potential victims to come forward.