Seven sue Benton County for damages
By Terry Murry on Wednesday, May 19th, 2021 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
KENNEWICK – Seven past and current Benton County Sheriff’s Office deputies have served the county with individual tort claims asking for a total of $22 million in damages. All of those involved say the county failed to protect them from Sheriff Jerry Hatcher’s creation of a toxic workplace.
The plaintiffs allege that the county did nothing in spite of several pleas for help. Hatcher is the subject of a recall campaign that was launched by some of the deputies involved in the civil court action.
The Benton County Board of Commissioners signed a letter asking Hatcher to step down last year amid allegations of retaliation, discrimination, obstruction, and harassment. The commissioners are limited in what they can do with problems involving another elected official.
The county received the claim last week and has 60 days to respond.
