A Eureka Police Department employee has filed a civil suit against the city of Eureka and City Manager David Tyson alleging that the city deliberately prolonged and diluted an investigation into her complaints of harassment, allowing the harassment to continue unabated for more than one year.
EPD Communications Supervisor Tawnie Hansen -- a 14-year-employee of the department -- filed the suit in Humboldt County Superior Court on Tuesday and is seeking damages in excess of $1.4 million. In the suit, Hansen alleges that the city -- and Tyson specifically -- vindictively and unreasonably delayed an investigation into complaints that she was being harassed by other department employees. She claims the harassment rendered her “totally disabled as far as EPD employment is concerned.”
Reached Friday, Tyson flatly denied all allegations contained in Hansen's suit.
”All I can say is the allegations are false and, on the advice of my attorney, I'm being advised not to say any more than that,” Tyson said.
Hansen previously brought a suit against unnamed members of the police department and former EPD employee Devora “DeeDee” Wilson for allegedly making false statements on the now defunct “Above the Law” blog, damaging Hansen's reputation and causing emotional distress.
The blog reported allegations -- which Hansen insists are false -- that Hansen and EPD Chief Garr Nielsen were having an affair
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and that Hansen was consequently receiving “special work-related benefits.” The suit further alleges that Wilson and other department employees continually harassed Hansen, sending her flowers, gifts and e-mails addressed to “Tawnie Nielsen,” combining her first name with Nielsen's last.
Wilson settled her part of the suit in August, agreeing to pay Hansen $10,000 in damages.
Nielsen declined to comment for this story and Eureka City Attorney Sheryl Schaffner could not be reached before the Times-Standard's deadline.
The new suit alleges that Hansen brought her harassment allegations to Tyson and that he -- due to jealousy and anger -- attempted to dilute and stall an investigation by widely broadening its scope “for the purpose of delaying any findings as to the person or persons responsible for her harassment because he desired that it continue and cause ongoing harm both to (Hansen) and to Chief (Garr) Nielsen.”
The investigation into Hansen's harassment complaints spanned more than one year, according to the suit.
The suit alleges that Hansen has suffered anxiety, anger, depression, irritability and loss of sleep as a result of the harassment, adding that she has lost 21 years of income -- the balance of her working life -- and potential earnings of $1.47 million.
The suit cites several reasons for Tyson's alleged conduct, including an ongoing rift in the police department that pits Nielsen supporters against employees who are upset with the changes he has brought to the department since taking over as police chief in April 2007.
Tyson, the suit claims, had a personal friendship with Wilson, who publicly criticized Nielsen at a City Council meeting called to renew his contract.
The suit further alleges that Tyson had previously spoken openly with Hansen about a potential sexual encounter of his, flirted with Hansen, touched her in a “suggestive manner” and made an unwanted sexual advance toward her. Hansen, the suit states, rejected Tyson's overtures.
”Tyson, having been rebuffed by Hansen in this regard, was both angry with Hansen and jealous of Chief Nielsen when he learned of the above-described defamatory statements regarding Hansen's purported affair with Chief Nielsen, ... statements Tyson apparently believed were true,” the suit states. “Given these misplaced beliefs and his alignment with Wilson, Tyson had no desire to take any steps to have the defamatory publications stop or to bring an end to the harassing conduct to which Hansen was being subjected.”
Hansen's attorney, Alan Goldberg, said Hansen did discuss the alleged incident with the city attorney and at least one council member, but did not pursue any further action at the time.
”Tawnie is not someone to blow something out of proportion,” Goldberg said. “She let it pass, let me put it that way. But, we think now it ties together. What we allege of Mr. Tyson's views of things, we think relates to how he handled this situation.”
The suit states that the alleged conduct of Tyson and the city of Eureka, in delaying the investigation into Hansen's specific grievance, violated Government Code section 12940, which states a public entity shall take “all reasonable steps to prevent harassment from occurring.” The suit goes on to allege that Tyson acted with the intent to harm Hansen, who is therefore entitled to an award of punitive damages against Tyson.
Goldberg said Hansen's previous case against unnamed department employees is not active, but is still open with the court despite Wilson's settlement.
”It's pending, but not really active because, at this moment, we're not in a position to name additional defendants,” Goldberg said.
Thadeus Greenson can be reached at 441-0509 or tgreenson@times-standard.com.
Thadeus Greenson/The Times-Standard
Posted: 11/14/2009 01:30:14 AM PST
Comments from TS site:
Anonymous
Eureka, CA
Reply »|Report Abuse|#1Saturday
"She claims the harassment rendered her 'totally disabled as far as EPD employment is concerned.â€' "
THEN GO GET A JOB SOMEWHERE ELSE!!
Quit trying to cash in on this situation so you won't have to work anymore. Find another agency, find another line of employment, whatever. Get over yourself- not everyone was trying to sleep with you.
animal farm
Eureka, CA
Reply »|Report Abuse|#2Saturday
And the EPD gets smeared again by the Slime Slandirt. All you people ever write about is local scandles and pot. I am fed up with the garbage coming out of this newspaper or should I say tabloid journal. Who will cover the SLime's **** when it's own infidelities are revealed?
Anonymous
Eureka, CA
Reply »|Report Abuse|#3Saturday
animal farm wrote:
And the EPD gets smeared again by the Slime Slandirt. All you people ever write about is local scandles and pot. I am fed up with the garbage coming out of this newspaper or should I say tabloid journal. Who will cover the SLime's **** when it's own infidelities are revealed?
It's not exactly just a scandal when someone is bringing about a lawsuit against the city manager for 1.4 MILLION DOLLARS. The money brought it to a whole new level.
Regular Reader
Oakland, CA
Reply »|Report Abuse|#4Saturday
animal farm wrote:
And the EPD gets smeared again by the Slime Slandirt. All you people ever write about is local scandles and pot. I am fed up with the garbage coming out of this newspaper or should I say tabloid journal. Who will cover the SLime's **** when it's own infidelities are revealed?
Why read this paper then if it bothers you so much? Try sfgate.com instead. That is the SF Chronical - a real newspaper and not an Associated Press hbighlight. This paper is run by the Media News Group out of Denver. They also own the Tri-City Weekly. When the Tri-City was owned by Ron P. he treated his employees with dignity and respect. Not so with Media News Group. m They even closed down the Tri-City's building and had them move in with the TS.
Again, if you think this paper is so bad, just don't read it. End of story - move on. Whny torment yourself?
Regular Reader
Oakland, CA
Reply »|Report Abuse|#5Saturday
Anonymous wrote:
"She claims the harassment rendered her 'totally disabled as far as EPD employment is concerned.â€' "
THEN GO GET A JOB SOMEWHERE ELSE!!
Quit trying to cash in on this situation so you won't have to work anymore. Find another agency, find another line of employment, whatever. Get over yourself- not everyone was trying to sleep with you.
That is probably what the EPD would want her to do. Maybe she loves what she does. If you quit your job around here, there is no gaurantee that you will be hired somewhere else. She will be well known and be "blacklisted." I know what that is like. This is a real small town. Where I grew up after a lenghty military career, this place wouldn't even warrent a dot on the map. It's small town politics here. Nobody will want a perceived "trouble maker" on their staff. The members of the CoC and the Rotary and the Ingamar club all talk and they are the "shakers and movers" of this little community that is dieing on the vine. As they say, "don't rock the boat." I am in her camp. People need to know that they can't treat people the way they do in some places and if she wins and gets the millions of bucks - let that be a lesson.
Nothin 2 see here
Gresham, OR
Reply »|Report Abuse|#6Saturday
You could beat me, scream at me and rape me for hours on end for 1,400,000$!
anonymous
Tyler, TX
Reply »|Report Abuse|#7Saturday
Incredible that some of the respondents to this
article don't understand the gravity of the
situation. Allegedly David Tyson sexual harassed
an employee and failed in his duty to enforce
the law. He should be put on administrative leave
immediately. From previous observations, he should
not be representing the city and his employment
should be terminated. He has shown no leadership.
Jeffrey Lytle
“HENCHMAN OF JUSTICE”
Joined: Dec 28, 2007
Comments: 1753
McKinleyville
ISP: Hayward, CA
Reply »|Report Abuse|#8Saturday
One point from the "face value" of this article that is most definately true - government does prolong and delay processes - many types of processes - everyday upon many citizens. It is collusion, conspiracy, fraud, etc.....(in ever-expanding cases, situations) as they decide how to "cover their asses" in whatever the issue is which causes the public officials to prolong and delay their re-actions to the situation rife with now compounding problems. Oh, the pain!
Jeffrey Lytle
McKinleyville - 5th District
Anonymous
Eureka, CA
Reply »|Report Abuse|#9Saturday
Why, why, it sounds like another episode of Carnellian Cove! Let's all get writing.
lolman
Hayward, CA
Reply »|Report Abuse|#10Saturday
Eureka has no dollars for community development, but $1.4 million for a lawsuit. THANK YOU TAXPAYERS!! LOL
reader
Oakland, CA
Reply »|Report Abuse|#11Saturday
Go Tawnie go!
The Tawnster is just revealing what a Peyton Place Eureka City government truly is. And the problems don't end at that level.
There is a vortex of incredible evil that permeates throughout society on the North Coast and it is amazing how it it enabled though those most capable and depended upon by the rest of us to terminate such behavior.
I had higher hopes for Mr. Tyson but if Tawnie's allegations prove to be factual, then the one person I truly feel sorry for is Mr. Tyson.
Anonymous
Walnut Creek, CA
Reply »|Report Abuse|#12Saturday
Dave Tyson should step down immediately
reader
Oakland, CA
Reply »|Report Abuse|#13Saturday
Anonymous wrote:
"She claims the harassment rendered her 'totally disabled as far as EPD employment is concerned.â€' "
THEN GO GET A JOB SOMEWHERE ELSE!!
Quit trying to cash in on this situation so you won't have to work anymore. Find another agency, find another line of employment, whatever. Get over yourself- not everyone was trying to sleep with you.
Maybe you ought to go educate yourself on employment law. Everyone is entitled to a safe work environment free from a threatening environment that includes, physical, racial, sexual, mental, emotional harassment.
No one deserves what she was forced to endure to maintain her employment.
But thanks all the same for revealing just how clueless you are to the reality of the matter.
someone stole my name
Eureka, CA
Reply »|Report Abuse|#14Saturday
If Ms. Hansen's allegations that Tyson failed to properly investigate her claim of sexual harassment, then he should resign. I work at another public agency and the head of the agency witnessed another employee demonstrating a sexual act in a vulgar manner and did nothing whatever about it. The employee's supervisor was there as well. A good laugh was had by all - well, unless you count me. I got disgusted with the three of them and found another job, but not all of us can find another job.
reader
Oakland, CA
Reply »|Report Abuse|#15Saturday
Regular Reader wrote:
That is probably what the EPD would want her to do. Maybe she loves what she does. If you quit your job around here, there is no gaurantee that you will be hired somewhere else. She will be well known and be "blacklisted." I know what that is like. This is a real small town. Where I grew up after a lenghty military career, this place wouldn't even warrent a dot on the map. It's small town politics here. Nobody will want a perceived "trouble maker" on their staff. The members of the CoC and the Rotary and the Ingamar club all talk and they are the "shakers and movers" of this little community that is dieing on the vine. As they say, "don't rock the boat." I am in her camp. People need to know that they can't treat people the way they do in some places and if she wins and gets the millions of bucks - let that be a lesson.
Regular reader, it's obvious who you are.
Type your manuscript on Word before posting, or learn how to spell Ingomar.
someone stole my name
Eureka, CA
Reply »|Report Abuse|#16Saturday
Now I think about it, every time I have seen or heard about a man sexually harassing a woman, the man gets a slap on the wrist if anything, and the woman has to find a new job or retire. When a woman did something (view a porn site at work), she was fired. The main differences in the cases are that the woman didn't DO anything to anyone, she just exhibited poor judgement and broke a rule. The men certainly DID something to someone or many someones. Same old game, new century.
Jeff E
Eureka, CA
Reply »|Report Abuse|#17Saturday
Anonymous wrote:
Dave Tyson should step down immediately
Yeah right, convict & execute him with no proof other than one person's word. A person who is obviously a disgruntled former employee. Out for blood & money she sounds like to me.
And this supposed "harrassment" she received from Tyson meant nothing to her until later when she realized she might get money from it.
once again
Newark, CA
Reply »|Report Abuse|#18Saturday
once again the lawless cops in this town are costing us money.
harassed
Oakland, CA
Reply »|Report Abuse|#19Saturday
Having been a victim of workplace verbal harassment, as well as viewing a lot of unabashed comments on various threads of this forum and other non moderated forums that I have visited, I can relate to this former EPD employee situation of being "permanently disabled" at working a particular workplace. In my case, I happen to be fortunate enough to land much better employment fairly quickly, even with my former employer's various attempts at "blacklisting" me.
Some employers tend to overlook/ignore/mistreat/step on the very persons who they depend on the most when gazing off/reaching for their lofty goals.
Nothing to see here
Eureka, CA
Reply »|Report Abuse|#20Saturday
The dollar amount was intended to be salacious. Anyone can sue anyone else for any amount a lawyer is willing to write down on a piece of paper. That doesn't establish either truth or its probability. It simply denotes someone looking for a big payday. Whether or not she gets it remains to be seen.
Eureka voter
Eureka, CA
Reply »|Report Abuse|#21Saturday
If only Larry Glass spent as much time addressing legitimate problems this city has as he does hand-feeding stories to the Humboldt Herald.
Get Over It
Tamaroa, IL
Reply »|Report Abuse|#22Saturday
Why is it that some females seemingly delude themselves into thinking that they are the only object of sexual interest around, or that they are the center of all the sexual interest? It's a real big letdown for them when they discover otherwise. I say Get Over It and move on. Obviously, this person relishes the attention.
Eureka Native
Eureka, CA
Reply »|Report Abuse|#23Saturday
This is pathetic.... I hardly doubt that this woman is incapable of working due to the conduct that she is alleging. I work in a job where I am called names daily, spit at, and people try to physically harm me. But I am not going to cry about it and try to sue the county so I don't have to work anymore. Seriously the only reason she can't work at EPD anymore is because of what SHE has done, not THEM!
reader
Oakland, CA
Reply »|Report Abuse|#24Saturday
Jeff E wrote:
Yeah right, convict & execute him with no proof other than one person's word. A person who is obviously a disgruntled former employee. Out for blood & money she sounds like to me.
And this supposed "harrassment" she received from Tyson meant nothing to her until later when she realized she might get money from it.
Jeff E,
Aren't you the typical bleeding heart liberal? And you're backing the establishment in this matter? Whoa! Why not go back to sticking your head in ths sand.
bud smith
Dixon, MO
Reply »|Report Abuse|#25Saturday
If its true they should pay .because its a rotten thing to do to someone .
reader
Oakland, CA
Reply »|Report Abuse|#26Saturday
Eureka Native wrote:
This is pathetic.... I hardly doubt that this woman is incapable of working due to the conduct that she is alleging. I work in a job where I am called names daily, spit at, and people try to physically harm me. But I am not going to cry about it and try to sue the county so I don't have to work anymore. Seriously the only reason she can't work at EPD anymore is because of what SHE has done, not THEM!
Are there people who actually reason the way that you do in the world?
Thanks for proof of the George Carlin observation that it was determined through a scientific study that the average American is stupid. That's pretty scary because it means that half of all Americans are actually stupider than stupid.
Workplace violence is a protected status. No one deserves to be harassed in a workplace the likes that Ms. Hanson experienced. End of story.
reader
Oakland, CA
Reply »|Report Abuse|#27Saturday
once again wrote:
once again the lawless cops in this town are costing us money.
Maybe you ought to educate yourself on the issue. This matter has nothing to do with sworn officers. It was administrative staff that was involved in harassing another co-worker.
Anonymous
Walnut Creek, CA
Reply »|Report Abuse|#28Saturday
Step down Tyson
Eureka will be much better off without you
Eureka Native
Eureka, CA
Reply »|Report Abuse|#29Saturday
reader wrote:
Are there people who actually reason the way that you do in the world?
Thanks for proof of the George Carlin observation that it was determined through a scientific study that the average American is stupid. That's pretty scary because it means that half of all Americans are actually stupider than stupid.
Workplace violence is a protected status. No one deserves to be harassed in a workplace the likes that Ms. Hanson experienced. End of story.
Workplace violence??? You have got to be kidding me. And enough with the scientific study ****. That has nothing to do with this story. Call me stupid, I don't give a ****. Call half of America stupid, I couldn't care less. All I know is that I go to work everyday and earn my paycheck, I don't try to cheat the system and have everyone else pay for my life. Good thing you don't work with me cause I just might try to sue the county for workplace "violence" and sue them for 3.2 million dollars cause you called me stupid....
a nono
United States
Reply »|Report Abuse|#30Saturday
Well now, maybe every girl in high school should sue and not have to attend school anymore due to being "disabled" and all from all of those mean girls spreading rumors and the boys hitting on them. Jeez.
harassed
Oakland, CA
Reply »|Report Abuse|#31Saturday
Eureka Native wrote:
Workplace violence??? You have got to be kidding me. And enough with the scientific study ****. That has nothing to do with this story. Call me stupid, I don't give a ****. Call half of America stupid, I couldn't care less. All I know is that I go to work everyday and earn my paycheck, I don't try to cheat the system and have everyone else pay for my life. Good thing you don't work with me cause I just might try to sue the county for workplace "violence" and sue them for 3.2 million dollars cause you called me stupid....
I'm glad I don't work for you, your attitude resembles my former employer. Tough enough going to work having to watch what you're doing in front of you, and having to look over your shoulder at the same time. I'm much more productive with my new employer now that I can spend that much more time watching what is just in front of me, and knowing that my employer is "covering" my back rather than "stabbing" it.
CynicalOne
Hayward, CA
Reply »|Report Abuse|#32Saturday
Sound like the **** need mo green so she can get a boob job and a face lift. With yo pimp hand lay a twenty on her and send her **** back out on the street. Hustle ****-get yo daddy da green stuff.
Lucky
Eureka, CA
Reply »|Report Abuse|#33Saturday
We're lucky to have David Tyson working at the City of Eureka.
The lawsuit is a fight over between two women in EPD - Tawnie and Dee Dee. 3 years later, there still fighting over a staffing change at the communications center. Dee Dee's been fired and Tawnie is out on a disability claim. Now she's suing for lost wages and lost retirement benefits.
Shameful. David Tyson's reputation is being smeared on the front page because he didn't take sides in this ugly fight.
a nono
United States
Reply »|Report Abuse|#34Saturday
Eureka Native wrote:
This is pathetic.... I hardly doubt that this woman is incapable of working due to the conduct that she is alleging. I work in a job where I am called names daily, spit at, and people try to physically harm me. But I am not going to cry about it and try to sue the county so I don't have to work anymore. Seriously the only reason she can't work at EPD anymore is because of what SHE has done, not THEM!
I'm with you.
I Smell a Rat
Reply »|Report Abuse|#35Saturday
What a joke. Even funnier are the comments from people that have no idea of the real situation. Nielsen has created a team of 3-4 "loyalists" that do their bidding. Wait for the next big round of promotions and they will be revealed. Things look good on the outside at EPD but morale has never been worse. Ask about the department meeting a while back.
coffee addict
Eureka, CA
Reply »|Report Abuse|#36Saturday
CynicalOne wrote:
Sound like the **** need mo green so she can get a boob job and a face lift. With yo pimp hand lay a twenty on her and send her **** back out on the street. Hustle ****-get yo daddy da green stuff.
Now there is an intelligent argument.(That is sarcasm)
Casandra
Oakland, CA
Reply »|Report Abuse|#37Saturday
Corruption lands ex-Louisiana congressman 13 years
By MATTHEW BARAKAT, Associated Press Writer
Saturday, November 14, 2009
www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi...
William Jefferson(D): Hehehe! political correctness didn't work in this case. It merely took longer to prosecute. Will the terrorist of Git-Mo and Hasan be the same? Tune into FOX radio or TV for the truth.
Middle-o-the-roa d
Saint Louis, MO
Reply »|Report Abuse|#38Saturday
anonymous wrote:
Incredible that some of the respondents to this
article don't understand the gravity of the
situation. Allegedly David Tyson sexual harassed
an employee and failed in his duty to enforce
the law. He should be put on administrative leave
immediately. From previous observations, he should
not be representing the city and his employment
should be terminated. He has shown no leadership.
There are those out there (and who regularly post here) who back law-enforcement and or those in positions of authority/trust no matter what they do.
If this problem isn't fixed, we will truly have morphed into a third-world caste system which will lead us towards a totalitarian government.
DO TELL
Eureka, CA
Reply »|Report Abuse|#39Saturday
What happened at the department meeting awhile back?
I Smell a Rat wrote:
What a joke. Even funnier are the comments from people that have no idea of the real situation. Nielsen has created a team of 3-4 "loyalists" that do their bidding. Wait for the next big round of promotions and they will be revealed. Things look good on the outside at EPD but morale has never been worse. Ask about the department meeting a while back.
ONCE A LIBERAL
Reply »|Report Abuse|#40Saturday
Tawnie Hansen is a strong women to stand up and fight the corrupt
going's-on in this town! When a person goes to city hall with a problem
and is shined on and sexually harassed this is showing that citizens have
no rights and their government is corrupt!
Oxford
Oakland, CA
Reply »|Report Abuse|#41Saturday
A sexual come-on from David Tyson. Can anyone think of anything ickier???!!! EW!!
Walter Sobchak
Knoxville, TN
Reply »|Report Abuse|#42Saturday
Oxford wrote:
A sexual come-on from David Tyson. Can anyone think of anything ickier???!!! EW!!
Yeah; a sexual come-on to Tawnie Hanson that gets accepted. Ew!
Charlies Angel
Beckley, WV
Reply »|Report Abuse|#43Saturday
Eureka Native wrote:
This is pathetic.... I hardly doubt that this woman is incapable of working due to the conduct that she is alleging. I work in a job where I am called names daily, spit at, and people try to physically harm me. But I am not going to cry about it and try to sue the county so I don't have to work anymore. Seriously the only reason she can't work at EPD anymore is because of what SHE has done, not THEM!
I am also with you. I am a woman too, but I have a backbone and can take crap from people because I have high self esteem, confidence, and I feel secure being ME. Remember the phrase we heard as kids, "Sticks and stones can break my bones, but words will never hurt me." I don't care what other people think. Maybe everyone should try it. Does this mean all the poor kids at school that are picked on by bullies can sue? And the highschool girls whose boyfriends get stolen by other girls can collect disability because they "can't" go to school anymore. Get over it already! If you are acting like the brown nosed, teachers pet, then yes people are going to make fun of you because you make yourself look lame. Just go to work and get your work done...end of story! Oh, and here's some cheese for your whine.
Disgusted in EUREKA
Walnut Creek, CA
Reply »|Report Abuse|#44Saturday
I hope she wins and Tyson is forced to resign. I have no doubt that everything she said is factual and that Tyson did exactly what he is accused of.
There is no where else in Eureka she could get a job with the benefits and pay that she receives at EPD and after 14 years of being a very good employee under different Chiefs why should she have to find a new job.
I doubt if the money is the real reason for the suit. If David Tyson resigns and she can keep her job with no further harassment I'm sure she would be willing to drop the whole matter. I also agree that David Tyson should be placed on administrative leave immediately pending the outcome and criminal charges for sexual harrassment be pursued against Mr. Tyson.
Observer
Eureka, CA
Reply »|Report Abuse|#45Saturday
I am disgusted with you "Disgusted in Eureka".
You have no proof whatsoever, of any kind.
This is all about money folks. Tawnie got a taste of it with the first $10,000 settlement and now she wants to get rich. All for a alleged comment made years ago?
Pete
Lotus, CA
Reply »|Report Abuse|#46Saturday
I thought Larry was Humboldt Hearld?
Bontemps
Eureka, CA
Reply »|Report Abuse|#47Yesterday
is that senile old fool Murl Harpham going to retire? Is he one of the EPD soon to resign?
Living in Eureka
Hayward, CA
Reply »|Report Abuse|#4823 hrs ago
If Ms Hanson's allegations are true, Tyson is a dirt-bag. I read the blog "abovethelaw" when it was up & running. It was mean & spiteful. I can't imagine working for over a year under these conditions. If Tyson was a part of this, give him his walking papers, we don't need someone like this running our city. Ms. Hanson deserves every dime she gets. Sometimes people need an expensive lesson to get it right - sounds like Tyson might need that lesson.
there
Fresno, CA
Reply »|Report Abuse|#4923 hrs ago
Observer wrote:
I am disgusted with you "Disgusted in Eureka".
You have no proof whatsoever, of any kind.
This is all about money folks. Tawnie got a taste of it with the first $10,000 settlement and now she wants to get rich. All for a alleged comment made years ago?
Observer,
You apparently don't understand that this is not about a comment, but about the failure to protect an employee from being subjected to a hostile work environment. The comment just provides a motive for that failure to protect. Ms. Hanson could have filed a sexual harassment claim against Tyson but chose not to, she just asked to be allowed to work in a hostile free environment. She made several attempts to resolve this informally but was blown off by the city. I admire her courage for standing up for her principles against the most powerful person in city government, knowing she would be subjected to public scrutiny and ridicule. I can guarantee you this is not about the money, it is about justice for an empolyee who has been deprived of the opportunity to do a job she had for fourteen years because the city did nothing to protect her,
****
Fresno, CA
Reply »|Report Abuse|#5023 hrs ago
Does anyone else find it curious that the Personnel Director bailed after less than a year and just before this hit the fan? Can't help but wonder if coming in from the outside she realized just how many skeletons were lurking in city hall closets and had too much integrity to play along. Now city hall is once again stocked with minions who will do the bidding. I am guessing she saw right through this "universal" investigation and saw it for the obsturctionist maneuver that it was.
Regular Reader
Oakland, CA
Reply »|Report Abuse|#5123 hrs ago
reader wrote:
Regular reader, it's obvious who you are.
Type your manuscript on Word before posting, or learn how to spell Ingomar.
Go straight to __________fill in the blank)do not pass go and don't collect your minimum wage.
Were you able to get the point with all my typing mistakes, etc?
Regular Reader
Oakland, CA
Reply »|Report Abuse|#5222 hrs ago
Eureka Native wrote:
Workplace violence??? You have got to be kidding me. And enough with the scientific study ****. That has nothing to do with this story. Call me stupid, I don't give a ****. Call half of America stupid, I couldn't care less. All I know is that I go to work everyday and earn my paycheck, I don't try to cheat the system and have everyone else pay for my life. Good thing you don't work with me cause I just might try to sue the county for workplace "violence" and sue them for 3.2 million dollars cause you called me stupid....
Don't get upset at this person(reader), because he or she likes to correct our spelling and call names. This person obviously thinks he or she is smarter and knows who people are as well. Just shine he or she on. He or she is a non-entity to me.
J East
San Leandro, CA
Reply »|Report Abuse|#5322 hrs ago
This is easy!
1) Go to court with a jury trial!
2) If the plaintiff wins, pay the plaintiff as decided by the court for a reasonable and proper amount.
3) If the defendant wins (plaintiff loses) file a counter suit then either jail the plaintiff or collect damages.
Madamoiselle Anglais
Eureka, CA
Reply »|Report Abuse|#5421 hrs ago
reader wrote:
Maybe you ought to go educate yourself on employment law. Everyone is entitled to a safe work environment free from a threatening environment that includes, physical, racial, sexual, mental, emotional harassment.
No one deserves what she was forced to endure to maintain her employment.
But thanks all the same for revealing just how clueless you are to the reality of the matter.
Reader, you are absolutely correct. Everybody IS entitled to work in a safe, threat free environment. However, I don't see why she can't work elsewhere until she has legitimately proven her claims to be true in a court of law. And just because she may have enjoyed being a dispatcher doesn't mean she can't get some other job. Or, if she enjoys dispatching that much she can get a dispatch job at an agency out of the area.
Anonymous
Burlington, NC
Reply »|Report Abuse|#5520 hrs ago
Tyson is a scum bad
Please resign now Dave. You a disgrace to Eureka!
Anonymous
Eureka, CA
Reply »|Report Abuse|#5619 hrs ago
As a female working in law enforcement, it's inevitable that you're going to be sexually harassed. Especially when Tawnie was continually texting with male coworkers, it's bound to come up even more so I would imagine.
Strong female
Eureka, CA
Reply »|Report Abuse|#5717 hrs ago
I'm sick of these weak women who faint at the first sign of a sexual innuendo. They give us all a bad name.
What the he-l-l are you doing working in a police department if you are such a wussy?
Anonymous
Sonoma, CA
Reply »|Report Abuse|#5817 hrs ago
That's really sad. Texting leads to sexual harassment? Sheesh, what world that deems that expected, or the woman's fault.
Tyson should resign if he really delayed or obstructed this investigation, or if he is sexually harassing the City employees who work for him.
Deja View
Watsonville, CA
Reply »|Report Abuse|#5916 hrs ago
Gee....this kinda sounds like the Wylie Buck/Darcie Seal thing in Blue Lake. The dirty ex-Blue Lake Sgt ended up with $50K from the city for "something" Buck had done. It wasn't disclosed to the public because they claimed it was a "personel matter". Maybe that's where Tawnie got the idea.
reader
Oakland, CA
Reply »|Report Abuse|#6015 hrs ago
Eureka Native wrote:
Workplace violence??? You have got to be kidding me. And enough with the scientific study ****. That has nothing to do with this story. Call me stupid, I don't give a ****. Call half of America stupid, I couldn't care less. All I know is that I go to work everyday and earn my paycheck, I don't try to cheat the system and have everyone else pay for my life. Good thing you don't work with me cause I just might try to sue the county for workplace "violence" and sue them for 3.2 million dollars cause you called me stupid....
Eureka Native, there's no I in us. This has nothing to do with you or your smug little world. So get over yourself. And my comment about Carlin, forget it. It went right over your head.
Get Over It
Logan, IL
Reply »|Report Abuse|#618 hrs ago
Dave Tyson is innocent until PROVEN guilty (which he won't). Simply because some disgruntled, whackjob says he hit on her? Get Over It, and get over your bad self while you're at it.
J East
Alameda, CA
Reply »|Report Abuse|#627 hrs ago
I have read these posts with interest and I have realized one conclusion. It used to be innocent until proven guilty but many of you on this topic take the other way around.
I wonder if you were accused of such a thing that you would appreciate everyone automatically say you are guilty and that you should step down.
Perhaps the guy is innocent and perhaps he is guilty but to suggest anything without the facts is not very consistent with policy in this country but then again, this country is headed for what many countries do believe, "Guilty until proven innocent".
If he goes to court and is found guilty then castrate him but until then we have to be fair or someday we may end up in court and talked about for something we may have not done.
Oh won't that be fun!
harassed
Oakland, CA
Reply »|Report Abuse|#637 hrs ago
A lot of comments on here about "toughen up", "be strong", "get over it" and don't be a "wussy". I played that game, but it only emboldens the employer/co-workers to continue their vile antics. Having to change jobs is bad enough, but when you have many years invested in a particular workplace and lose it all by resigning, due to incessant and vicious "pranks" or "witchhunts" by co-workers or employers and having to start all over again at another work place, is very frustrating to say at the very least.
anonymous
Windsor, CA
Reply »|Report Abuse|#645 hrs ago
Tawnie is know for flirting and sending sexually explicit texts in the department to officers, now she will be exposed in court.
in the business
San Jose, CA
Reply »|Report Abuse|#654 hrs ago
anonymous wrote:
Tawnie is know for flirting and sending sexually explicit texts in the department to officers, now she will be exposed in court.
Everyone knows that flirting goes on in the workplace, and particularly in law enforcement. I would hope that in this day and age we would have progressed beyond believing that flirting gives someone carte blanche to commit sexual harassment or permit a hostile work environment to be perpetuated. If you bother to read the allegations this is a suit involving the failure of the city to protect an employee who was being harassed. The fact that she was harassed has been established in the suit against her supervisor. Do employees lose their civil rights because they flirt? Again we are back to the prehistoric thinking that was so prevalent years ago that women deserve what they get if they wear tight jeans or flirt. You don't think male police officer regularly flirt with dispatchers and other women in the department. It is endemic in law enforcement, but never gives anyone the right to permit a hostile work environment to exist.
Get Over It
North Aurora, IL
Reply »|Report Abuse|#664 hrs ago
HUH? "It's endemic in law enforcement, but never gives anyone the right to permit a hostile work environment to exist".
So, it's the city's fault that a bunch of moronic adolescents with guns flirt with each other incessantly, then get angry when rumors start?
auntonomous
Silverton, OR
Reply »|Report Abuse|#674 hrs ago
1.4 Million dollars from a Police Department that has to request Federal assistance in order to hire the required amount of Police Officers to police Eureka because of a spike in the crime rate. That just doesn't add up. Greed is dispicable sometimes.
anon
Fresno, CA
Reply »|Report Abuse|#684 hrs ago
Get Over It wrote:
HUH? "It's endemic in law enforcement, but never gives anyone the right to permit a hostile work environment to exist".
So, it's the city's fault that a bunch of moronic adolescents with guns flirt with each other incessantly, then get angry when rumors start?
Yes, It is the City's responsibility when employees cross the line and are allowed to persist in that behavior. The city has a responsibility to protect employees. That is the basis of this action, that the city did not protect its employee when behavior crossed the line into illegal activity.
anonymous
Windsor, CA
Reply »|Report Abuse|#694 hrs ago
in the business wrote:
Everyone knows that flirting goes on in the workplace, and particularly in law enforcement. I would hope that in this day and age we would have progressed beyond believing that flirting gives someone carte blanche to commit sexual harassment or permit a hostile work environment to be perpetuated. If you bother to read the allegations this is a suit involving the failure of the city to protect an employee who was being harassed. The fact that she was harassed has been established in the suit against her supervisor. Do employees lose their civil rights because they flirt? Again we are back to the prehistoric thinking that was so prevalent years ago that women deserve what they get if they wear tight jeans or flirt. You don't think male police officer regularly flirt with dispatchers and other women in the department. It is endemic in law enforcement, but never gives anyone the right to permit a hostile work environment to exist.
So by sending sexually explicit and flirtatious text messages to co-workers she was not in fact sexually harassing them? It could actually be construed she initiated the sexual harassment herself. She created her own problem and once it caught up with her could not handle the fallout.
J East
Alameda, CA
Reply »|Report Abuse|#704 hrs ago
Get Over It wrote:
HUH? "It's endemic in law enforcement, but never gives anyone the right to permit a hostile work environment to exist".
So, it's the city's fault that a bunch of moronic adolescents with guns flirt with each other incessantly, then get angry when rumors start?
A word of caution here, there was a lawsuit against a person who posted something similar to what you accuse the police of being and the suit was held up in court. There are those out there who cruise these sites to look for potential $$$$ to be made, don't put yourself under their sites.
Just a friendly word of advice here, you have to make your own decision but think twice before you characterize such service organizations.
J East
Alameda, CA
Reply »|Report Abuse|#714 hrs ago
And the word above should be "sights" not sites.
Oh well, no wonder I got a "B" from Mrs. Walters' class in spelling.
anon
San Jose, CA
Reply »|Report Abuse|#723 hrs ago
anonymous wrote:
So by sending sexually explicit and flirtatious text messages to co-workers she was not in fact sexually harassing them? It could actually be construed she initiated the sexual harassment herself. She created her own problem and once it caught up with her could not handle the fallout.
What you fail to understand is that this lawsuit is not about sexual harassment. It is about a hostile work environment created by a supervisor who was another female, and the failure of the city to protect the victim. The environment existed and has been proven, what is at question is whether the city met their obligation in dealing with it. It has nothing to do with flirting or text messages. And it is hard to believe that Ms. Hansen is just trying to extort the city. Imagine what it must be like to subject yourself publicly to the innuendos and wild speculation that comes with taking an action such as this. It explains why most women are intimidated into putting up with exploitive behavior, or if it gets too bad they just find another job. I applaud the courage of someone who in a small town like this is willing to stand up to the established power base, knowing full well they will do all in their power to discredit her, characterize her publicly as a tramp, etc.
neo-anon
Sacramento, CA
Reply »|Report Abuse|#733 hrs ago
If she is awarded the money, I hope it's in monthly installments for 21 years. Give the city a fighting chance.
J East
Alameda, CA
Reply »|Report Abuse|#742 hrs ago
neo-anon wrote:
If she is awarded the money, I hope it's in monthly installments for 21 years. Give the city a fighting chance.
I agree but of course its ironic when one understands that we will be paying it if the city loses a dollar settlement, they get the money from our taxes. Personal accountability on either side I believe is more important. Responsibility and Accountability, two words sorely lacking in todays society.
He or she who loses should be held accountable, that is a case I wouldn't mind being a juror on simply to determine who messed up.
anon
Phoenix, AZ
Reply »|Report Abuse|#751 hr ago
J East wrote:
I agree but of course its ironic when one understands that we will be paying it if the city loses a dollar settlement, they get the money from our taxes. Personal accountability on either side I believe is more important. Responsibility and Accountability, two words sorely lacking in todays society.
He or she who loses should be held accountable, that is a case I wouldn't mind being a juror on simply to determine who messed up.
The city is covered by insurance. However if there are punitive damages awards they are the responsibility of the individual. But the insurance company picks up the tab for attorneys and any monetary award other than punitive.
Tawnie and Darcie
San Luis Obispo, CA
Reply »|Report Abuse|#7639 min ago
anonymous wrote:
Tawnie is know for flirting and sending sexually explicit texts in the department to officers, now she will be exposed in court.
Same crap that went on in Blue Lake with Darcie sending our explicit emails to her male co-coworkers over their shared computer system. She even continued on sending explicit sights to other local law enforcemet officers. The one of the phoney ultrasound from her to the Chief that was sent for ALL to see was the real clincher in getting Dave's fromer girlfriend to move out. According to Darcie it was only a "joke". Even Darcie's aunt who worked the the Blue Lake Department coundn't defend her own neice....she had to back the chief because she felt bad for him the way Darcie kept attacking his looks and psyche and teeling him how stupid he was. She would then even overide the orders he gave her.
Just seems that maybe these two may be spending sometime together seeing what they can bleed from the city. The cases are just too conincidental. Maybe the DA's office should dig a little deeper into both of these young yomen.
J East
San Francisco, CA
Reply »|Report Abuse|#777 min ago
anon wrote:
The city is covered by insurance. However if there are punitive damages awards they are the responsibility of the individual. But the insurance company picks up the tab for attorneys and any monetary award other than punitive.
Wow, Anti-Suit insurance? I had no idea, thanks for sharing that tidbit.
