Snohomish County pays out another $325K over ex-prosecutor's workplace

EVERETT — More than four years after former top prosecutor Mark Roe left office, the county earlier this year was still paying to settle claims he fostered a toxic work environment.

In late February, the county agreed to pay $325,000 in response to allegations from ex-deputy prosecutor Travis Johnson, who claimed Roe made remarks about his weight as well as frequent “homophobic slurs and sexualized language.” Johnson argued Roe passed him up for a promotion due to his age and weight.

In an email Wednesday, Roe said “while I was Prosecuting Attorney, promotions were never based on a person’s size, shape, race, gender or anything other than merit.”

“The fact that both men and women have claimed gender bias regarding their advancement in the office sort of shows that,” he added. “Performance is what mattered. Period. That some chose not to like that approach is another issue, and I understand it’s human nature to want to find another excuse for why you aren’t being promoted. My blunt approach didn’t sit well with everyone, and that is unfortunate, but I was honest with my employees.”

https://www.heraldnet.com/news/snohomish-county-pays-out-another-325k-over-ex-prosecutors-workplace/