The town of Coupeville is denying a series of accusations that a former clerk treasurer made against Mayor Molly Hughes over the work environment and pay.
Jennifer Carpenter filed the complaint for damages in Island County Superior Court on Aug. 7. It alleges a hostile work environment based on gender, disparate treatment, negligent and intentional infliction of emotional distress, wrongful termination, failure to pay wages, failure to provide shift and lunch breaks, and willful withholding of wages.
In June, Carpenter filed a tort, which is a step that must be taken before filing a lawsuit against a governmental entity. She asked for as much as $2.5 million in damages, although the complaint states it’s up to a jury to decide the amount.
Last week, the town filed an answer and affirmative defense. The town is represented by the firm Simmons Sweeny Freimund Smith Tardif PLLC.
Hughes said she could not comment on litigation.
Among the affirmative defenses, the town argued that the claims were barred because all actions taken by Hughes and the town were for “legitimate, non-discriminatory, non-pretextual reasons.” It states Carpenter’s termination was based on conduct wholly within her control.
The town asked a judge to dismiss the complaint with prejudice and award the town attorney fees.
In the lawsuit, Carpenter claims that Hughes created a hostile work environment based on gender by yelling, inappropriate touching, rudeness and derogatory comments. Hughes allegedly made stereotypical comments about women in the workplace, including not wanting to hire women with children, the lawsuit states.
The lawsuit also makes claims about Hughes inappropriately treating Carpenter as a non-exempt employee by deducting her pay when she was not at work; Carpenter claims she sometimes worked long hours and on weekends without overtime pay.
Carpenter asked for unpaid wages, regular damages, liquidated damages, damages for emotional distress, damages for lost wages, general damages, prejudgment interest and attorney fees.
