CWU nears end of Manweller investigation

Central Washington University obtained a final report July 6 on its investigation into sexual harassment allegations against Rep. Matt Manweller, R-Ellensburg, a university official confirmed Tuesday.

This suggests the university’s latest investigation into sexual-harassment allegations against Manweller is nearing its end.

The university hired Trish K. Murphy of Northwest Workplace Law in Seattle to manage the investigation. It was Murphy who sent the final report on the investigation’s findings to school officials.

Manweller said Tuesday that he is aware the university has finished its investigation and is preparing an official statement in response to CWU’s findings.

Previously, CWU has twice investigated Manweller over allegations of sexual harassment, first in 2012 and again in 2013. Though the investigator concluded in both cases that Manweller broke school policy on sexual harassment, neither investigation substantiated the central claims against Manweller. Manweller was never disciplined for the previous investigations and instead was later promoted.

Despite having the final report in hand, the university has not officially closed its investigation and the report has not been made public at this time. Officials at the school did not immediately respond to questions regarding the delay.