Wash. DSHS settles sex abuse lawsuit for $3 million
OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) - Washington's Department of Social and Health Services says it has reached a $3 million settlement of a lawsuit brought by a young woman who was sexually abused by a staffer at a Lakewood mental health facility when she was a patient.
In a statement Friday, DSHS also said the agreement resolves the woman's claims against the superintendent of the Child Study and Treatment Center at the time of the abuse more than a decade ago.
The state says the lawsuit alleged that supervisors failed to properly monitor a staff member who had sex with the young woman when she was a patient from 2001-2003. Center administrators fired the male staffer when the abuse was disclosed. DSHS says he later pleaded guilty to misdemeanor criminal charges.
Agency spokesman Thomas Shapley says DSHS "deeply regrets what happened to this young woman."
The agency's statement says supervision policies at the center have been strengthened in the past 10 years.
In a statement Friday, DSHS also said the agreement resolves the woman's claims against the superintendent of the Child Study and Treatment Center at the time of the abuse more than a decade ago.
The state says the lawsuit alleged that supervisors failed to properly monitor a staff member who had sex with the young woman when she was a patient from 2001-2003. Center administrators fired the male staffer when the abuse was disclosed. DSHS says he later pleaded guilty to misdemeanor criminal charges.
Agency spokesman Thomas Shapley says DSHS "deeply regrets what happened to this young woman."
The agency's statement says supervision policies at the center have been strengthened in the past 10 years.
It is unbelievable to me that a simple delusional thought or belief of someone can result in such disarray. People, Lawyers, Prosecutors, and Media all want to focus on the negative aspect of any story...whether true or not...or how it might affect the individual involved. Unfortunately, it has become their job security. Why do we not see or read about what actually happened with Mr. Grant's case? I guess that just wouldn't get the "ratings" KOMO is looking for.
I personally know the individual KOMO has made out to be a monster. First of all, he was never convicted of rape or molestation, nor did he partake in any of the awful events spoken of. He, rightfully so, fought all false charges in court and as a result the jury was hung (10 to 2) to acquit Mr. Grant. The prosecutors then dropped all charges and offered a plea to a misdemeanor because of their lack of evidence and weak case. Mr. Grant only accepted this plea because of the extremely high cost of another trial and wanted to move on with his life. Now, nearly 10yrs after this unfortunate situation, your local news has not presented you with a complete and accurate story. But of course it wouldn't be as appealing to "you" the consumer if they didn't lie about and embellish the facts of the story just as they do in so many other cases.
McKenna ran on a platform of tort reform, and lawsuit payouts ended up skyrocketing under him.Â
I wish they would emphasize in stories like this that it's not DSHS that's paying this money, it's the taxpayers...the money doesn't just come out of thin air. Â
How much is this frucking organization costing us a year in law suites and wasted money? Shut it down!
@WhatdidIsay? It doesn't need to be shut down. It needs a total reconstruction from the ground up.Â
@Tattooed_Angel2 @WhatdidIsay? How many times have I said that to people....needs a complete rebuild.Â
No it needs to be shut down.