Reardon requests review of complaint policies
By ADAM STEWART Staff Reporter
In the wake of former Snohomish County Planning Director Craig Ladiser’s termination, Executive Aaron Reardon requested authorization to hire an outside special deputy prosecutor to conduct a formal review of policies and procedures regarding workplace complaints.
Ladiser was fired in August after an investigation by Seattle law firm Perkins Coie confirmed claims that he drunkenly exposed himself to a woman during a June 24 golf tournament hosted by the Master Builder Association of King and Snohomish counties at Redmond Ridge.
Although he was fired, the investigation concluded that Ladiser was not acting in his role as a Snohomish County employee during the golf tournament.
However, since then, questions about how sexual harassment complaints are handled within county workplaces, specifically the planning department, have been raised.
If the prosecuting attorney’s office honors Reardon’s request, the review would include an analysis of the county’s equal employment opportunity (EEO) office.
T
he office is responsible
for workplace harassment and civil rights training, investigating complaints regarding harassment or discrimination and recommending corrective action when warranted.
Attorney Mark Knudsen, investigator for the EEO office, reports directly to the county’s Deputy Executive Mark Soine, also an attorney, regarding complaints.
Perkins Coie has been selected to perform the review.
“I want to ensure that the process in place is fair, complete and above reproach,” Reardon said.
Staff Reporter Adam
Stewart: 629-8066 ext. 115
or astewart@scnews.com.
