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$7,500 Paid to Washington DOC Employee for Negligent Investigation, Defamation, and Invasion of Privacy
$7,500 Paid to Washington DOC Employee for Negligent Investigation,
Defamation, and Invasion of Privacy
While employed as the Correctional Mental Health Program Manager
at the Washington State Penitentiary, Daniel C. Assink was accused in an
Employee Conduct Report filed by Sherry Hartford, WSP's Personnel Manager,
of sexually harassing numerous female employees and/or interns at WSP. An
investigative report dated June 13, 1995, affirmed the allegations against
Assink. On September 1, 1995, he was demoted to Psychiatric Social Worker
III.
Assink filed an appeal with the State Personnel Appeals Board,
which found Assink not guilty of sexual assault but affirmed the demotion
on other grounds. During the pending investigations, several disclosures
of confidential information about Assink were provided to persons not
entitled to such information. Assink's complaint alleged negligent
investigation, defamation, and invasion of privacy. On February 13, 2001,
the Washington Department of Corrections settled the suit for $7,500.
Assink was represented by Kristine E. Hedine of the Reese, Baffney, Schrag
and Hedine law firm in Walla Walla. See: Assink v. State of Washington,
Walla Walla Superior Court, Case No. 97-2-00219-9.
Defamation, and Invasion of Privacy
While employed as the Correctional Mental Health Program Manager
at the Washington State Penitentiary, Daniel C. Assink was accused in an
Employee Conduct Report filed by Sherry Hartford, WSP's Personnel Manager,
of sexually harassing numerous female employees and/or interns at WSP. An
investigative report dated June 13, 1995, affirmed the allegations against
Assink. On September 1, 1995, he was demoted to Psychiatric Social Worker
III.
Assink filed an appeal with the State Personnel Appeals Board,
which found Assink not guilty of sexual assault but affirmed the demotion
on other grounds. During the pending investigations, several disclosures
of confidential information about Assink were provided to persons not
entitled to such information. Assink's complaint alleged negligent
investigation, defamation, and invasion of privacy. On February 13, 2001,
the Washington Department of Corrections settled the suit for $7,500.
Assink was represented by Kristine E. Hedine of the Reese, Baffney, Schrag
and Hedine law firm in Walla Walla. See: Assink v. State of Washington,
Walla Walla Superior Court, Case No. 97-2-00219-9.
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Related legal case
Assink v. State of Washington
| Year | 2001 |
|---|---|
| Cite | Walla Walla Superior Court, Case No. 97-2-00219-9 |
| Level | State Trial Court |
| Conclusion | Settlement |
| Attorney Fees | 0 |
| Damages | 7500 |
| Injunction Status | N/A |
no case text.