Trial for suit against Moses Lake scheduled for February

MOSES LAKE — A jury trial is scheduled for February for a civil lawsuit filed against the city of Moses Lake by a former employee alleging discrimination and sexual harassment by her former supervisors, who themselves no longer work for the city.

The suit, filed by former assistant planner Billie Jo Munoz in late 2019, claims Munoz was passed over for a promotion for a decade due to both gender and disability discrimination, after she suffered long-term injuries in a car accident while working and was passed over for promotion in favor of a male colleague.

Munoz also claimed that former City Manager John Williams and former Human Resources Director Rich Bisnett were aware of much of Alvarado’s behavior and failed to take corrective measures.

Munoz was among the first three women to file tort claims against the city, and at least five additional women have added claims since. However, Earl Law Group, which is representing Munoz and other claimants, stated Thursday that among the women it represents, only Munoz has filed a suit.

A representative from Earl Law Group said Thursday that it would have no further comment on the case.

Emry Dinman can be reached by email at edinman@columbiabasinherald.com.