CITY OF SUNNYSIDE PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: October 23, 2025
Subject: Clarification Regarding the Released Investigative Report
The Investigative report that was released yesterday was redacted in compliance with the Public Records Act, RCW 42.56.250(1)(f)(i-ii). This section provides, in relevant part, that. . . investigative records compiled by an employing agency in connection with an investigation of a possible unfair practice under chapter 49.60 RCW or of a possible violation of other federal, state, or local laws or an employing agency's internal policies prohibiting discrimination or harassment in employment . . . may be disclosed only if the names, images, employee agency job titles, email addresses, and phone numbers of complainants, other accusers, and witnesses are redacted.
A claim was made by an employee against a councilmember regarding harassment, discrimination and hostile work environment. This is what was addressed in the first part of the report. Per the report, these claims against the councilmember were unfounded. However, because the employee made these claims, the statute requires the employee’s name be redacted. In addition, the names of other witnesses are also required to be redacted. We applied the minimum redactions possible.
The statute expressly prohibits the City from redacting the name of any elected/appointed official. This is the reason Ms. Hancock's name cannot be redacted. RCW 42.56.250(1)(f)(ii).
In the course of establishing that the claims made by the employee against the council member were unfounded, the report confirms that there was improper conduct by the employee, such that the Council had the right to be concerned. This included improper hiring practices, operating vehicles without markings, failing to discipline employees, and fabricating claims about public records. The second part of the report addressed certain concerning behaviors of the employee, including the sending of false letters. Additional concerning behaviors arose after the investigation was commenced and are not included in the report.
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