Woman files suit against fire districts, former supervisor
EPHRATA — A Grant County fire fighter and Emergency Medical Technician has filed suit against her former boss, accusing the supervisor of sexual harassment.
Deborah Smith filed an unlawful discrimination lawsuit in Grant County Superior Court earlier this month, charging two Grant County Fire Districts, her supervisor James Joseph Sahli and his wife Jane Doe Sahli with harassment and intimidation.
Smith was employed as an EMT for Grant County Fire District No. 10 and a firefighter for Grant County Fire District No. 11, both districts of which are named in the suit. Sahli was the Assistant Chief of Grant County Fire District No. 11 and the Eastside EMS Captain for Grant County Fire District No. 10. Fire District No. 10 is based out of Royal City and Fire District No. 11 is based out of Mardon and Royal Camp.
The suit states that Smith was continually harassed by Sahli for a period of a year while the two were working together. In June of this year, the suit states that Smith was "falsely imprisoned against her will," by Sahli.
Smith states in the suit that she has suffered damages as a result of the suit. She states in the suit that the alleged actions of the defendants constitute assault and battery as well as false imprisonment.
Smith states in the suit that the defendant's actions after she first reported Sahli's conduct was "designed to harass and intimidate Smith." Smith states that she has suffered damaged as a result of that conduct.
Smith is represented in the suit by Moses Lake attorney Harry Ries. Ries did not return phone calls before deadline Wednesday.
Sahli, now 72, was charged in June of this year with the crime of indecent liberties, stemming from an alleged June 9 incident where Sahli allegedly exposed himself to Smith and forced his hands between her legs and groped her. Sahli also allegedly blocked Smith from leaving the fire station.
According to a Grant County Sheriff's Office report in that case, Sahli admitted his actions to GCSO deputies.
Sahli's wife is listed as Jane Doe Sahli in the discrimination lawsuit. Sahli's wife Verlyn Sahli stated in court documents in the criminal case in August that her husband had attempted suicide by carbon monoxide poisoning twice since the criminal complaint was filed. Verlyn Sahli stated in those documents that her husband could not remember certain co-workers or family members, and did not remember even having worked as a fireman or EMT.
Verlyn Sahli said this week that her husband had severe trauma and was unavailable to talk.
Criminal charges against Sahli were dismissed Nov. 8. The cases were dropped by the request of Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Steve Scott over questions of Sahli's ability to stand trial. The criminal charges were dropped without prejudice, which means the suit could be refiled.
The unlawful discrimination lawsuit states that Smith "has suffered serious and severe mental anguish and emotional distress, lost income and has incurred and will continue to incur attorney's fees and costs."
No damage amount has been set in the case, and no date has been set for hearings in the matter. The suit states that the defendants have 20 days to respond to the suit, which was filed Dec. 16..
Representatives for Grant County Fire District No. 11 could not comment on the case, saying it was referred to the district's insurance company. Grant County Fire District No. 10 did not answer phone calls Tuesday.