Wash. Supreme Court published opinion — 989681.pdf

Citation: Wash. Supreme Court published opinion — 989681.pdf
Jurisdiction: Washington (state)
Source: Official source
Original Source: https://www.courts.wa.gov/opinions/pdf/989681.pdf ↗

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addresses allegations about the lengths that Sheriff Hatcher went to in order to

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For the current opinion, go to https://www.lexisnexis.com/clients/wareports/.
In re Recall Charges Against Benton County Sheriff Gerald D. Hatcher,
No. 98968-1

hinder the investigation into his discriminatory and retaliatory conduct toward his

employees.

(a) Charge 7: Protecting the Confidentiality of the Complaint

Recall petitioners allege that on February 4, 2020, after Sheriff Hatcher

learned that a complaint had been filed against him, he went out of his way to learn

the identity of the complainant. Sheriff Hatcher called Commander Caughey into

his office to discuss a recent guild letter. The sheriff asked Commander Caughey if

Lieutenant Magnuson “is the one poisoning the guild.” CP at 168. Commander

Caughey told the sheriff to speak with Lieutenant Magnuson as he did not believe

he could or should be having the discussion as it could be a violation of county

policy and/or state law.

On February 5, 2020, the sheriff again insisted that Commander Caughey

tell him “about the issues Erik Magnuson has with him.” Id. The commander tried

to avoid the question and told Sheriff Hatcher he was there to inform him of his

need to run to the county shops and that he did not want to discuss the issue for

fear of violating the Anti-Discrimination policy or state law. Sheriff Hatcher

insisted that Commander Caughey tell him what was going on and told him he

“had one more chance to tell him what the issues were with Erik.” Id. According to

Commander Caughey, he took the words to mean that if he refused to answer the

27
For the current opinion, go to https://www.lexisnexis.com/clients/wareports/.
In re Recall Charges Against Benton County Sheriff Gerald D. Hatcher,
No. 98968-1