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KRISTINE M. PHILLIPS,
JURISDICTION
1.
Plaintiff Kristine Phillips (hereafter “Plaintiff”) asserts claims for sex discrimination,
retaliation, and hostile work environment under Title VII (42 U.S.C. § 2000e-2, 3), violation of due
process and equal protection under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 and state law sex discrimination, wrongful
discharge, intentional infliction of emotional distress, breach of contract, and breach of the duty of
good faith and fair dealing. To assist in readability, the allegations set forth below are intended to
apply to “all times relevant” regardless of whether those allegations are set forth in the present or
past tense.
2.
Jurisdiction is conferred upon this Court by 28 U.S.C. § 1331 and brought pursuant to claims
under 42 U.S.C. § 2000e and 42 U.S.C. § 1983. Plaintiff requests a jury trial in this matter.
SUPPLEMENTAL JURISDICTION
3.
This Court has supplemental jurisdiction over Plaintiff’s state law claims pursuant to 28
U.S.C. § 1367. Plaintiff’s state law claims are so closely related to her federal law claims that they
form part of the same case or controversy under Article III of the United States Constitution.
VENUE
4.
Venue is appropriate in this Court under 28 U.S.C. § 1391 because the events giving rise to
5.
6.
Defendant, Marion County Sheriff’s Office (“Marion County”), located in Marion County,
Oregon. The Marion County Sheriff’s office is a department of Marion County, which has employed
more than 500 employees for each working day in each of twenty or more calendar weeks in the
current or preceding calendar year. Defendant Russ Isham (“Isham”) was, at all relevant times, the
Marion County Sheriff. Defendant Chris Hoy (“Hoy”) was, at all relevant times, the Marion County
Correctional Facility Jail Commander. Defendant Bronson Hoppe (“Hoppe”) was, at all relevant
times, Sergeant of Internal Affairs for the Marion County Sheriff’s office.
7.
Plaintiff has exhausted all administrative remedies necessary to proceed on her Title VII and
state law claims. Plaintiff timely filed complaints with the Equal Employment Opportunity
Commission (“EEOC”) and the Bureau of Labor and Industries (“BOLI”). Plaintiff received a right
to sue notice from the EEOC on January 12, 2009, and a right to sue letter was sent by BOLI on
December 9, 2008.
FACTUAL ALLEGATIONS
8.
Plaintiff began her employment with Defendant in or about October of 1992, as a Deputy
Sheriff.
9.
Plaintiff is a female who was employed by Defendant for nearly 15 years. During her
employment with Defendant, she was treated adversely in comparison to male employees.
10.
In June of 2006, Plaintiff received a written reprimand for exercising inmates as required by
federal law. Plaintiff complained about what she reasonably believed to be violations of federal law
regarding how inmates were treated in reference to allowing inmate exercise to Defendant Hoy.
11.
Similarly situated male deputies regularly participated in the same practice of exercising the
12.
During Plaintiff’s employment with Defendant, she worked with Deputy Steve Jochums, who
is a male, where they performed their job duties as a team. In or about May 2007, Plaintiff and
Jochums restrained an inmate. As a result of this decision, Plaintiff and Jochums were disciplined
by Defendant. Plaintiff was terminated, in part, because of this act, while Jochums received only a
13.
Plaintiff suffered from actions of discipline by Defendant that were different, and more
14.
In or about June 2007, Plaintiff and a group of male deputies detained two inmates in a
holding cell. Plaintiff and all of the male employees who were involved in this incident were
disciplined, but Plaintiff was punished differently and more severely than her male co-workers.
15.
Plaintiff’s punishment for this incident included being placed on administrative leave and
being terminated. Similarly situated male employees were not placed on administrative leave or
terminated.
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16.
Plaintiff was told that she was the only officer involved in the June 2007 incident that was
being investigated in this fashion. Plaintiff was also informed that the other male officers involved
in the June 2007 incident were being allowed to work while she was put on administrative leave.
17.
Marion County purports to use a system of progressive discipline for its officers. The alleged
system of progressive discipline was applied differently to Plaintiff than it has been applied in the
18.
On September 28, 2007, Plaintiff was summoned to the Marion County Jail where she met
with Union Representative Dale Bradley, Mike Beach, Hoy, and Tad Larson who told her that her
job with Defendant was terminated as a result of the closing of the investigations of the June 2007
incident.
19.
As a result of her inappropriate treatment with Defendant, Plaintiff filed a union grievance
and was awarded her former position and back pay on June 9, 2008. At that time, Plaintiff had
obtained substitute employment at the Spirit Mountain Casino. Defendant Marion County ordered
plaintiff to return to work immediately, once the arbitration award was received in Plaintiff’s favor.
Plaintiff explained to agents of Marion County that she wanted to provide two weeks notice of her
intent to leave her job to her employer, Spirit Mountain Casino. Defendant Marion County told
Plaintiff that it would not allow her to give such notice, and that Plaintiff needed to return to work
at Marion County immediately. As a result, Plaintiff was forced to leave her position at Spirit
Mountain without giving the two week notice that is required for Plaintiff to be eligible for re-
employment with Spirit Mountain. Upon her return to employment at Marion County on June 10,
2008, Plaintiff was sent home on administrative leave with pay. On June 27, 2008, Plaintiff
received a letter from Marion County stating that it intended to contest her re-employment.
Defendant Marion County did not allow Plaintiff to continue working for it at that time. As a result,
Plaintiff was unable to return to work for Spirit Mountain Casino because she had ended her job
20.
Subsequent to this determination, Defendant has refused to honor the Arbitration award, and
21.
Plaintiff then filed a claim under the unfair labor practice act with the Employment Relations
Board.
22.
In or about January 2009, the Employment Relations Board found in favor of Plaintiff.
23.
Subsequent to this determination, Defendant still refuses to honor the arbitration award and
the Employment Relations Board award. On June 30, 2009, Plaintiff attended a mediation with
Defendant Marion County in an attempt to resolve the disputes set forth in this complaint. At the
conclusion of that mediation, Plaintiff and Marion County agreed that Plaintiff would return to work
at Marion County, and Marion County would withdraw its administrative challenge to Plaintiff’s
reinstatement. In reliance upon that agreement, Plaintiff then provided notice to her employer at the
time, the city of Salem. As it had done before, Marion County then reneged on that agreement, and
refused to allow Plaintiff to return to work in return for dismissing its administrative appeal of
Plaintiff’s reinstatement. Marion County had also promised to pay Plaintiff her back pay and
benefits upon return to work at that time, and then reneged on that agreement as well.
24.
Plaintiff realleges paragraphs 1-23. 42 U.S.C. § 2000e provides: “it shall be an unlawful
against any individual with respect to his compensation, terms, conditions, or privileges of
employment because of such individual’s race, color, religion, sex, or national origin . . .”
25.
Plaintiff is female. During the course of Plaintiff’s employment with Defendant, Plaintiff
suffered from discrimination based on her sex. Plaintiff was repeatedly treated differently than
similarly situated male employees, including but not limited to, being placed on administrative leave
and terminated. Marion County’s continuing treatment of plaintiff in making agreements with
Plaintiff regarding her return to work, and then breaching those agreements, after Plaintiff relied
upon those agreements, constitutes continuing discrimination on the basis of Plaintiff’s sex.
26.
Defendant discriminated against Plaintiff in the terms, conditions, and privileges of her
employment on the basis of her sex. As a result of this discrimination, Plaintiff was denied
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compensation, and adversely affected Plaintiff’s terms, conditions, and privileges of her employment
27.
at trial as a result of Defendant’s sex discrimination. Plaintiff seeks recovery of all compensatory
and punitive damages provided by law and equitable relief in addition to her reasonable attorney fees
28.
Plaintiff realleges paragraphs 1-27. ORS 659A.030(1)(b) provides in relevant part: “It is an
unlawful employment practice: For an employer, because of an individual’s race, religion, color, sex,
or privileges of employment.”
29.
Plaintiff is female. Defendant employed Plaintiff during the time in question. During the
course of Plaintiff’s employment with Defendant, Plaintiff suffered from discrimination based on
her sex. Marion County’s continuing treatment of plaintiff in making agreements with Plaintiff
regarding her return to work, and then breaching those agreements, after Plaintiff relied upon those
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30.
Defendant discriminated against Plaintiff in the terms, conditions, and privileges of her
employment on the basis of her sex. As a result of this discrimination, Plaintiff was denied
compensation, and adversely affected Plaintiff’s terms, conditions, and privileges of her employment
31.
at trial as a result of Defendant’s sex discrimination. Plaintiff seeks recovery of all compensatory
and punitive damages provided by law and equitable relief in addition to her reasonable attorney fees
and costs.
OF 42 U.S.C. § 1983
32.
Plaintiff realleges paragraphs 1-31. 42 U.S.C. § 1983 provides that a party shall be liable
when it “subjects, or causes to be subjected, any person of the United States . . . deprivation of any
rights, privileges, or immunities secured by the Constitution and laws of the United States.”
33.
At all times material to this complaint, Defendants Isham, Hoy, and Hoppe acted or
purported to act in the performance of official duties under state, county, or municipal law,
ordinances or regulations.
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34.
Plaintiff’s due process rights were violated by actions of Defendants Isham, Hoy, and Hoppe,
including but not limited to the following: Defendants Isham, Hoy, and Hoppe placed Plaintiff on
administrative leave for an amount of time greatly exceeding the amount of time other male
employees were placed on administrative leave; Defendants Isham, Hoy, and Hoppe refused to
provide Plaintiff with back pay and her original position, that which was awarded to her by an
Administrative Law Judge; and subsequent to this, Defendants Isham, Hoy, and Hoppe terminated
Plaintiff’s position. Defendant’s acted to violate Plaintiff’s due process rights by repeatedly agreeing
to return plaintiff to work, and then reneging on that agreement, to Plaintiff’s detriment. These
actions violated Plaintiff’s due process rights protected by the Fourteenth Amendment of the United
States Constitution. Plaintiff’s property interest was taken away in violation of Plaintiff’s due
process rights.
35.
Defendants Isham, Hoy, and Hoppe misused their official powers with a willful and
malicious intent to deprive Plaintiff of her due process rights and cause her grievous injuries thereby.
The constitutional right to Due Process under the Fourteenth Amendment was well established at
the time Defendants Isham, Hoy, and Hoppe took the aforementioned actions against Plaintiff.
Defendants Isham, Hoy, and Hoppe, in acting to deprive Plaintiff of her due process rights, acted
intentionally, knowingly, willfully, and with gross disregard to Plaintiff’s rights. Defendants Isham,
Hoy, and Hoppe’s actions towards Plaintiff, as alleged in the above mentioned paragraphs, constitute
a violation of 42 U.S.C. § 1983 for which Plaintiff is entitled to relief. The violations of 42 U.S.C.
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§ 1983 by Defendants Isham, Hoy, and Hoppe resulted in Plaintiff being deprived of her rights,
privileges, or immunities secured by the Constitution and laws of the United States.
36.
As a result of Defendants Isham, Hoy, and Hoppe violations of 42 U.S.C. § 1983, Plaintiff
has suffered economic damages in an amount to be determined at trial along with non-economic
damages in an amount to be determined at trial. Plaintiff seeks recovery of all compensatory and
punitive damages provided by law, in addition to equitable relief, reasonable attorney fees and costs
37.
Plaintiff realleges paragraphs 1-36. 42 U.S.C. § 1983 provides that a party shall be liable
when it “subjects, or causes to be subjected, any person of the United States . . . deprivation of any
rights, privileges, or immunities secured by the Constitution and laws of the United States.”
38.
At all times material to this complaint, Defendants Isham, Hoy, and Hoppe acted or purported
to act in the performance of official duties under state, county, or municipal law, ordinances or
regulations. Defendant Isham became Sheriff of Marion County on September 05, 2007. Defendant
Isham either made the decision himself to place Plaintiff on administrative leave and terminate
administrative leave and terminate Plaintiff, Defendant Isham violated Plaintiff’s Federal
Constitution right to equal protection. Defendant Isham knew, at the time he agreed to place Plaintiff
on administrative leave, and terminate Plaintiff, that similarly situated male employees were being
treated differently by the Sheriff’s office in respect to discipline. Defendant Hoppe, Sergeant of
internal affairs, recommended to Defendant Hoy that Plaintiff be terminated. In doing so, Defendant
Hoppe knew, or should have known, that similarly situated male employees were being treated
differently in terms of disciplinary action. Defendant Hoy recommended to Sheriff Isham that
Plaintiff be terminated. When doing so, Defendant knew, or should have known, that similarly
situated male employees were being treated differently in respect to disciplinary action. Each
individual Defendant violated Plaintiff’s rights under the Federal Constitution to be free from
differential treatment on the basis of sex. Defendant violated Plaintiff’s right to Equal Protection
39.
Plaintiff is female. During Plaintiff’s employment, Defendants Isham, Hoy, and Hoppe
treated Plaintiff differently than similarly situated male employees. Defendants Isham, Hoy, and
Hoppe subjected Plaintiff to disproportionate discipline than similarly situated male employees.
Plaintiff’s equal protection rights were violated by actions of Defendant including but not limited
to the following: Defendants Isham, Hoy, and Hoppe placed Plaintiff on administrative leave for a
significantly longer amount of time than other male officers were placed on administrative leave for;
Plaintiff was subjected to more severe punishment than similarly situated male employees; Plaintiff
was subjected to comments of a sexual nature; and Plaintiff was terminated for acts that similarly
situated male employees were not terminated for. These actions violated Plaintiff’s Equal Protection
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40.
Defendants Isham, Hoy, and Hoppe misused their official powers with a willful and
malicious intent to deprive Plaintiff of her equal protection rights and cause her grievous injury
thereby. The constitutional right to Equal Protection under the Fourteenth Amendment was well
established at the time Defendants took the aforementioned actions against Plaintiff. Defendants
Isham, Hoy, and Hoppe, in acting to deprive Plaintiff of her equal protection rights, acted
intentionally, knowingly, willfully, and with gross disregard to Plaintiff’s rights. Defendants Isham,
Hoy, and Hoppe actions towards Plaintiff, as alleged in the above mentioned paragraphs, constitutes
a violation of 42 U.S.C. § 1983 for which Plaintiff is entitled to relief. The violations of 42 U.S.C.
§ 1983 by Defendants Isham, Hoy, and Hoppe resulted in Plaintiff being deprived of her rights,
privileges, or immunities secured by the Constitution and law of the United States.
41.
As a result of Defendants Isham, Hoy, and Hoppe violations of 42 U.S.C. § 1983, Plaintiff
has suffered economic damages, in an amount to be determined at trial, along with non-economic
damages in an amount to be determined at trial. Plaintiff seeks recovery of all compensatory and
punitive damages provided by law, in addition to equitable relief, reasonable attorney fees and costs
42.
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43.
Plaintiff was wrongfully discharged because Plaintiff exercised a legal right that is related
44.
a legal right that is related to Plaintiff’s status or role as an employee. Making complaints of sex
discrimination is of important public interest to protect the rights of Plaintiff and other employees.
Plaintiff had a societal obligation to complain about sex discrimination in the work place.
45.
46.
Plaintiff realleges paragraphs 1-45. Defendant knew that the aforementioned conduct would
cause severe mental or emotional distress or acted despite a high degree of probability that the
47.
Defendant’s conduct caused Plaintiff severe mental or emotional distress from the
foreseeable highly unpleasant emotional reactions including fright, grief, shame, humiliation,
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48.
49.
As a result of Defendant’s intentional actions, Plaintiff has suffered economic and non-
economic damages in the form of severe emotional distress in an amount to be determined at the
time of trial. Plaintiff requests equitable relief along with her reasonable attorney fees and costs in
this action.
50.
Plaintiff realleges paragraphs 1-49. When Defendant Marion County agreed to Plaintiff to
work on two occasions as described above, Defendant entered into an enforceable contract with
Plaintiff. Plaintiff reasonably relied upon Defendant Marion County’s representations made in the
context of Plaintiffs return to work. Defendant Marion County breached its agreement when it first
refused to allow Plaintiff to continue in her return to work, and second, when it refused honor its
agreement to dismiss its administrative appeal and pay Plaintiff her back pay and benefits. Plaintiff
was damaged on both occasions; first, when Plaintiff lost her employment at Spirit Mountain Casino
and could not resume her employment there, and second, when Plaintiff was again denied payment
of her back pay and benefits and the resolution of the administrative appeal.
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51.
Plaintiff realleges paragraphs 1-50. Every contract carries with it a duty of good faith and
fair dealing. Both of the instances in which Marion County agreed to return Plaintiff to work
consisted of a contractual agreement, carrying with it the covenant of good faith and fair dealing.
In behaving as described above, Marion County breached its covenant of good faith and fair dealing
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff requests the following for her claims for relief:
1. For Plaintiff’s First Claim For Relief Against Defendant: Economic and non-economic
damages in an amount to be determined at the time of trial along with equitable relief.
Plaintiff seeks recovery of all compensatory and punitive damages provided by law in
addition to her reasonable attorney fees and costs pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1988.
2. For Plaintiff’s Second Claim For Relief Against Defendant: Economic and non-economic
damages in an amount to be determined at the time of trial along with equitable relief.
Plaintiff seeks recovery of all compensatory and punitive damages provided by law in
addition to her reasonable attorney fees and costs pursuant to ORS 659A.885.
3. For Plaintiff’s Third Claim For Relief Against Defendants Isham, Hoy, and Hoppe:
time of trial along with equitable relief. Plaintiff seeks recovery of all compensatory
and punitive damages provided by law in addition to her reasonable attorney fees and
the time of trial along with equitable relief. Plaintiff seeks recovery of all
time of trial along with equitable relief. Plaintiff seeks recovery of all compensatory
and punitive damages provided by law in addition to her reasonable attorney fees and
costs.
of trial. Plaintiff requests equitable relief and her reasonable attorney fees and costs.
of trial. Plaintiff requests equitable relief and her reasonable attorney fees and costs.
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of trial. Plaintiff requests equitable relief and her reasonable attorney fees and costs.
S/Kevin T. Lafky
Kevin T. Lafky, OSB#85263
klafky@lafky.com
LAFKY & LAFKY
429 Court St. NE
Salem, Oregon 97301
503-585-2450
Of Attorneys for Plaintiff