Badley’s trial ends

Basil Badley, husband of Senator Mary Margaret Haugen (D - Wash.), lost the case brought against him by Courtney Jones, Haugen’s former campaign manager.

The assault and battery case concluded Friday in Island County Superior Court, when a jury awarded Jones $50,000 in damages for battery.

Jones alleged the incident dates to November 2008, when Badley attempted to kiss her on the mouth after a campaign party. Jones turned away, and Badley’s affections landed on her cheek.

A week and a half later, she said, Badley invited her to dinner when Haugen was out of town, so they could wrap up post-campaign business.

At the house, Jones said, Badley again tried to kiss her, persistently, groped her, and put his hands beneath her clothing.

Jones’ suit, filed nearly one year later, originally claimed employment discrimination, outrage, negligent infliction of emotional distress, and sexual assault and battery.

Earlier this year, Island County Superior Court Judge Alan Hancock threw out all the charges except sexual assault and battery.

The battle in court was about whether the evening was as simple as two adults who got out of hand, or something more sinister.

Badley does “acknowledge two incidents with sexual connotations,” court documents state. He said he asked Jones for a hug at the November dinner, and she kissed him. He said he later followed her downstairs, hoping there would be more kisses. There weren’t.

At his house about a week later, when Haugen was in Olympia, he said, he did try to kiss Jones, but she pushed him away. He said he touched Jones’ breast in a “somewhat accident,” but denied groping her. He said he fell asleep and Jones was gone when he awoke.

The next day, Badley sent Jones an e-mail, apologizing for his “unwanted and unacceptable behavior,” and stating, “I’m not a dirty old man when I am sober,” the same documents state.

Jones wrote back, “Apology accepted,” and stated that she wanted to remain friends and didn’t have hard feelings.

At the time, Badley was 72 years old and Jones was 28.

Along with Hancock, the dispute was heard by a jury of seven men and five women. Jones, represented by attorney Thomas Breen, was seeking $100,000 in damages.

She said Badley was the one who tried to kiss her at the November campaign dinner; when she turned her head, the kiss landed on her cheek. In the second incident, Jones said, Badley repeatedly tried to kiss and grope her. One of her earrings broke while she was trying to evade his advances, she said.

Badley’s attorney, Tyna Ek, argued that the incident was nothing more than two adults who drank too much and behaved poorly. Both of them.

After hearing both sides, the jury of seven men and five women found Jones’ version of the events more plausible.

The awarded her $44,000 for economic reasons, such as counseling fees, and $6,000 for non-economic reasons.

Staff Reporter Jeremiah O’Hagan: 629-8066 ext. 125 or ohagan@scnews.com.