Chen files claim for $750,000

EPHRATA — A former Grant County deputy prosecutor filed a $750,000 claim for a reportedly wrongful termination.

Teresa Chen, who was fired from her job at the prosecutor’s office on April 16, is claiming Grant County Prosecutor Angus Lee violated her First Amendment rights and the Family Medical Leave Act, according to her tort claim.

Chen’s attorney, Steven Lacy, stated she suffered a “pattern of retaliation and harassment from Mr. Lee and others under his direction and control at the Grant County Prosecutor’s Office.” This came after Chen’s exercise of protected speech, according to the claim.

The former deputy prosecutor was one of seven deputy prosecutors who signed a “no confidence” letter sent to the Grant County commissioners before Lee was unanimously selected to replace former Prosecutor John Knodell, according to county records.

The letter claimed Lee was not a good fit for the office because he lacked legal experience and “was not a team player,” predicting his appointment would be an “unmitigated disaster for the public, the county and the prosecutor’s office.”

Chen claims the harassment from Lee lead to her seeking medical leave from the county, according to the claim. Once she was granted leave, Lee reportedly became upset, threatening to give her an “unwanted job assignment,” if she didn’t resign, according to the claim.

When she reportedly refused to resign, Lee fired her. According to the claim, this was a violation of the Family Medical Leave Act.

“I’d love to comment, but it’s been referred to the insurance company and they’ve asked all parties not to comment on it until it’s been resolved,” Lee said.

Commissioner Richard Stevens had no comment other than to say he is aware the claim has been filed.

Chen claims the $750,000 is for “reimbursement for continuing wage loss and other actual damages, including general compensatory damages.”

Chen is the second former prosecutor’s office employee to file a wrongful termination claim. Former Administrative Assistant Cathleen Neils, who was fired in February, is suing the county and Lee in U.S. District Court in Spokane.

Both Chen and Neils are represented by Lacy with regards to their filing claims for damages against the county and Neils lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Spokane.