3 women allege harassment in Clark County Sheriff’s Office

Three women have filed separate tort claims alleging harassment in the Clark County Sheriff’s Office.

The claims are typically an indication of an intent to sue, and each seeks $2 million for what each woman claims she experienced while working for the sheriff’s office.

Jennifer Maphet, a corrections officer who was terminated earlier this year, claims that she was subject to harassment and “experienced differential treatment from what she had known before” after suffering from a workplace injury resulting in a fractured hand, torn lateral meniscus, torn articular cartilage in her femur and others. The claim, filed Oct. 11, states that after surgery she was subjected to harassment and jokes about being physically harmed by co-workers.

In August 2013, her condition worsened after fracturing her hand due to her knee dislocating and developing neurological issues from crutch use, according to the claim.

She was told “it was excessive to have a person away from work for three years, and they need to find closure regarding her status,” the claim states.

Another claim by Pandora Pierce, an office worker who had previously filed a claim in 2007 alleging discrimination, was filed Oct. 11. It alleges she was placed on administrative leave last year without explanation and was later forced to resign.

“Because of the circumstances of her administrative leave, Ms. Pierce suffered such extreme stress she remains under a doctor’s and mental health counselor’s care,” reads the claim.

The final claim, filed Oct. 27 by Erin Nolan, who served as chief civil deputy, alleges she was subject to harassment, gender-related and derogatory treatment and marginalization after complaining of pay disparities in the department beginning in 2011.

The claim states that Nolan suffered sleep anxiety and disturbance and was “diagnosed with post-traumatic stress secondary to the conditions under which she was working.”

Each claim was filed by Portland lawyer Thomas Boothe, who also recently filed a claim on behalf of former county Environmental Services Director Don Benton. When reached by The Columbian, Boothe declined to comment, as did County Risk Manager Mark Wilsdon.

Former Clark County Sheriff's Office employee Erin Nolan's tort claim. PDF

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