Othello hospital to defend Geller Hobler-Inks suing for wrongful termination

OTHELLO — The Othello Community Hospital Board of Commissioners voted unanimously Thursday to defend Administrator Harry Geller in a lawsuit.

Former employee Sue Hobler-Inks is suing the hospital and Geller for wrongful termination. A copy of the lawsuit written by attorney Steven C. Lacy of Lacy & Kane in East Wenatchee states Hobler-Inks performed auditing activities as part of her job. The audits made Geller look bad, and Hobler-Inks communicated with the Washington State Auditor's office regarding the information she found, her lawyers claim.

The lawsuit notes Hobler-Inks was an active participant in a campaign to elect Bob Carlson to the Board of Commissioners. Carlson is a current member of the commission.

In retaliation for her activities, the hospital and Geller fired her, the document states.

"Inks engaged in protected activity by exercising her First Amendment rights of freedom of association and freedom of speech," the lawsuit reads.

Hobler-Inks claims economic damages, punitive damages and attorney's fees.

Lacy Kane did not return a phone call to comment.

Geller said he made the request to the board for its support in the lawsuit, as allowable by a hospital resolution. The board was required to forward it to the hospital's attorney, Alan K. Willert of Foster Pepper in Seattle.

"There is no reason of which I'm aware that would serve to deny Mr. Geller's request," Willert responded in a letter.

If the judge deems Geller committed willful wrongdoing, the hospital can cancel the agreement, Geller said.

"I would have to repay the district whatever funds you paid to legal council to defend me," he told the board.

Board member Lynda Bowers said at the meeting the board is concerned Carlson is mentioned in newspaper coverage of the lawsuit. Hobler-Inks said she intended to include him as a witness in her lawsuit, Bowers said.

Bowers said the district solved the issue, but she did not elaborate on what the issue was.

After Bowers spoke, board member Larry McCourtie read a document which stated commissioners have a duty toward loyalty to the hospital and must act in the best interest of the hospital.

Commissioners can only discuss the lawsuit among themselves and with designated administration, McCourtie said.