King County to settle lawsuit against sheriff, aides for $1.35M over retaliation claims
King County will pay $1.35?million to settle a lawsuit by one current and two former deputies that exposed a variety of high-profile misconduct claims against Sheriff John Urquhart and some of his top commanders.
“This puts a close to a very painful chapter in my clients’ lives,” said Julie Kays, the Seattle lawyer who represented the plaintiffs. “But more than the money, they’re most proud of the fact that they’ve exposed the sheriff for who he really is.”
She added: “I think it’s high time that the Department of Justice look seriously at the pattern and practices — especially toward women, minorities and gay people — in this department.”
Urquhart, who has denied the various allegations raised in the suit, said in a news release Tuesday he wanted to take the case to trial.
Read more: http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/king-county-to-settle-lawsuit-against-sheriff-aides-for-135-million/
