A county commissioner in Olympia, Washington, is accused of sexually harassing subordinates, pressuring them to have relationships, taking them on errands, buying things and lending them money, according to the complaint.
Allyn Hershey is now seeking $750,000 after her relationship with Thurston County Commissioner Emily Close ended in bitterness.
Close, 30, claims Hershey was fired just 30 minutes after she reported her relationship and sexual harassment allegations to county officials on July 29. According to Olympian.
Close, a Democrat elected in 2023, was suspended from some of his duties in August, but according to a report by an outside investigator hired by the county, Close told a former aide that It turns out that there is a high possibility that the victim did not engage in sexual harassment or retaliation.
The report alleges that Close hired Hershey on April 24, 2024, and that the two engaged in a “consensual romantic and sexual relationship” between April and June 1. are. However, Mr. Hershey disagreed with this conclusion.
“A lot of it was unwelcome, but I felt pressured to do it because my whole job was to protect Emily.” [Clouse] I'm happy,” he told the media.
Some of Hershey's duties included driving Claus around, painting rooms in her home and running errands, the newspaper said.
According to reports, the pair kissed for the first time at a political event on March 29, weeks before Hershey received a formal job offer from Close.
Hershey told the magazine that even after their relationship soured, Kroes continued to ask Hershey on dates and to stay at his home after June 1.
By late July, Hershey texted Clouse that she might quit, and she responded that one of her biggest fears was for Clouse to quit, according to the report.
There were several disagreements between the two over the next few days, and Mr. Hershey contacted the county's human resources department by July 29, fearing that Mr. Close would fire him in retaliation. did.
Hershey explained a recent disagreement on the phone with the human resources department, accusing Close of borrowing $1,500 from him and sending provocative photos.
Close did not disclose any past romantic or sexual relationships with the aides, although the human resources department asked him to share his side of the incident, the report said.
About 30 minutes later, Mr. Hershey was relieved of his duties. Shortly afterward, Hershey claimed County Manager Leonard Hernandez asked him how many months of paid leave he needed to keep the accusations from going public.
The two agreed that Mr. Hernandez would take a nine-month leave of absence, but on July 30, Mr. Hernandez brought the matter to the county commission, which decided to hire an outside investigator. did.
Hershey criticized the report, which said Close likely acted against the county's best interests by concealing a romantic relationship with a subordinate.
“I think the public deserves to know the real reality of this investigation and what they're missing,” Hershey told the outlet.
Hershey's lawyers filed a new damages lawsuit on Nov. 27, two months after filing a lawsuit seeking $750,000 in damages.
Close's attorney, Maia Robbins, called the accusations “ridiculous” and insisted that Close never sexually harassed or retaliated against Hershey.
“It's a witch hunt to try to silence her and peek into other aspects of her private life and expose them,” Robbins said.
Investigators also looked into claims that Close sexually assaulted Hershey at least three times, which Hershey maintained were completely false.
“The fact that the week I met with Human Resources and the county director to report sexual harassment and retaliation was the week she decided to bring up the fact that I sexually assaulted her in a board meeting. It’s strangely convenient,” Hershey told The Olympian.
The report did not say whether the charges were determined to be false, but Mr. Hershey's attorney said in court documents that Mr. Close withdrew them during the investigation.
Hershey told the newspaper that he decided to speak out after learning of the report's “blatant contradictions and lies” and said the public has a right to know the truth.
“I don't think anyone who openly lies about sexual assault should represent the county in any capacity, let alone on a board or commission,” Hershey said. Ta.
“I hope the public sees the truth about Emily as a person.” [Clouse] You decide for yourself whether or not you are fit to be president, not just based on policy, but as a person. ”
