Asotin County settles harassment case with court clerk

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Asotin County is poised to pay a six-figure settlement to a deputy clerk who was allegedly sexually harassed by a Superior Court Judge.

According to a news release from the U.S. Department of Justice, the county and the United States filed a joint notice of settlement in the case that, if accepted by a federal judge, will require the county to pay the clerk $100,000. The agreement would also require the county to put in place protocols for the investigation of harassment claims, maintain a written policy on sex discrimination and sexual harassment, and provide mandatory training to employees about federal statutes that prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex, race, color, national origin and religion.

The news release does not mention the clerk’s name or the name of the alleged offender.

However, former Judge Scott Gallina is facing felony charges of second-degree rape, indecent liberties with sexual motivation and third-degree assault for his alleged misconduct while he was the Superior Court judge in Asotin, Garfield and Columbia counties.

The 57-year-old has pleaded not guilty to all charges and is awaiting a trial date. (U.S. Attorneys Office – Eastern District of Washington, Lewiston Tribune)

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