County clerk faces lawsuit for alleged discrimination

EPHRATA — A complaint of discrimination against a person opposing an unfair practice, was filed in Grant County Superior Court on Tuesday against Grant County Clerk Kenneth Kunes and a female employee in his office.

Victor E. Guzman, of Moses Lake, an official court interpreter and administrative assistant of the court administrator, filed the legal complaint through his attorney, George M. Ahrend of Moses Lake.

The complaint accuses clerk's office female employee, Carmen Navarro, with sexual harassment against Guzman, court documents state.

Ahrend claims Kunes violated the law prohibiting discrimination while attempting to resolve the issue between Guzman and Navarro, according to the complaint. Ahrend states Kunes made a "false and morally repugnant statement about (Guzman)" and initiated an "unwarranted" criminal complaint against Guzman.

Kunes allegedly imposed unfair work rules in his office, interfering with Guzman's ability to perform his job as an interpreter and administrative assistant, according to court documents.

"I have not made offensive remarks to (Guzman)," Kunes said Tuesday.

The county clerk said he made the work-place rules to prevent Navarro and Guzman from having contact with each other.

"One (rule) was to not have him in my office," Kunes said. He said Guzman is now free to return to the clerk's office.

Navarro returned Guzman's accusation with a claim of sexual harassment of her own, against him.

Kunes initiated a criminal complaint against Guzman with the Grant County Sheriff's Office, after Navarro's claim.

Chief Deputy John Turley said the sheriff's office conducted an investigation into the allegations of sexual assault and harassment.

"The prosecutor's office said there was not enough to charge anyone," Turley said. "(Prosecutors) basically dismissed the allegations."

Guzman is seeking money to compensate him for the alleged damages and attorney fees.