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$640,000 sexual harassment
A corrections officer sexually harassed a series of
county employees through his position at the Whatcom County
jail. Each initially thought they were the only victim, but
eventually they began to talk to each other, realize that
each was not alone, and then held a meeting at the home of
one victim. They hired Brett & Coatsto bring a sexual
harassment claim with the Equal Employment Opportunity
Commission (EEOC). The EECO invited the parties to
participate in informal means of conciliation. The employees
entered mediation with the county. Five cases settled and
two more serious claims required the filing of a lawsuit.
After extensive discovery the entire claim was settled for a
combined total settlement of $640,000, with individual
settlements of $100,000, $100,000, $40,000, $100,000,
$25,000, $25,000, and $250,000. The claim is Johnston v
Whatcom County, United States District Court, Western
District of Washington, at Seattle, cause number
CV04-0626RSM. Victims were represented by Breean Beggs and
Dean Brett of Bellingham's Brett & Coats. |
