Othello settles with former officer for $80K

OTHELLO - The City of Othello will pay a former police officer $80,000 to settle a 2009 sexual harassment case.

The agreement was finalized Friday and obtained by the Columbia Basin Herald through a public records request.

A trial began April 2 in Adams County Superior Court, but stopped on the third day because a settlement was reached, according to Ramsey's attorney, Jean Huffington, of Bellevue. Ramsey testified during the last day of trial.

According to court documents, the City of Othello must pay Ramsey $80,000 before April 21.

Ramsey filed a complaint against the city in December 2009 after she alleged that the police department breached her employment contract, defamed her, created a sexually hostile work environment and terminated her in retaliation for reported sexual harassment.

Ramsey began work at the Othello Police Department in June 2007 and a veteran officer, Randy Presnell, was assigned to train Ramsey during her probationary period.

Shortly after she began employment, Presnell allegedly made suggestive comments toward Ramsey, according to court documents.

According to Ramsey's complaint, in August 2007 Presnell reportedly came to her home and allegedly made unwanted advances toward her.

The city denied that "Presnell's attentions and physical contact were unwelcome and uninvited," according to court documents.

On Aug. 5, Ramsey reported Presnell's inappropriate conduct. Presnell was terminated on Aug. 31.

Presnell allegedly continued to contact and harass Ramsey until February 2008 when she obtained a temporary no-contact order against Presnell.

A copy of the order was delivered to the Othello Police Department and police Chief Steve Dunnagan reportedly criticized Ramsey for involving Adams County, stating that she was making the other employees uncomfortable because Presnell worked with them for 25 years.

According to court documents, Ramsey attended a hearing on March 4, 2008 and obtained a permanent anti-harassment order against Presnell.

Once again, a copy of the order was delivered to the Othello Police Department.

In her complaint she states that the next time she saw her police chief on March 19 she was informed she was fired simply because she "didn't fit in."

During Ramsey's search for a new job, the Othello Police Department allegedly supplied negative information to prospective employers, according to court documents. As part of the settlement, employment inquiries for Ramsey will be limited to sharing her employment dates.

In June 2009, after 15 months of searching, Ramsey was able to secure employment. However, her new position was an unspecified job outside the field of law enforcement.