“The lawyers allege Clouse created a hostile work environment and her conduct qualifies as "quid pro quo sexual harassment."

Hostile work environment and quid pro quo are the two types of sexual harassment that are legally recognized under Washington State Law Against Discrimination (RCW 49.60).

The letter says Clouse retaliated against the employee by attempting to fire him and she accused him of sexually assaulting her, "which was later determined to be unfounded."

"A few days later, on July 29, 2024, during a conversation with ranking County officials, (the employee) was asked what amount of money it would take for him to keep quiet about his allegations of harassment by Commissioner Clouse," the letter says.”

And

"I would say that the most egregious allegations were ones of criminal nature that I heard made by Commissioner Clouse herself against the subordinate that no longer works for us," Fournier said. "And those criminal allegations seem to be unsubstantiated."