Woman Sues Sex Harassment Expert, Disputes Firing

A Spokane expert on sexual harassment is accused of practicing what he preaches against.

Attorney Mark Cassidy is being sued by a former co-worker who claims he made unwanted sexual advances toward her over several years.

When Cheryl Degerness refused to date Cassidy, he retaliated by having her fired, the 34-year-old single mother of two says.”I just wanted to be left alone,” Degerness, a 34-year-old single mother of two, said Wednesday.

Her lawsuit, which raises allegations of sexual harassment and wrongful termination, was filed recently in Spokane County Superior Court.

Named as defendants are Cassidy; his employer, Associated Industries of the Inland Northwest; and Associated Industries President Michael J. Murphy.

Repeated attempts to reach Cassidy were unsuccessful.

Associated Industries, based in Spokane, provides services for member businesses aimed at improving labor-management relations. Cassidy frequently conducts seminars, teaching employers how to eliminate sexual harassment from the workplace.

Degerness accuses Cassidy of applying a different set of rules to his own conduct.

She says he left notes in her car and sent her offensive electronic mail in the company computer system in an attempt to win her affection.In one electronic message, Cassidy wrote about wanting to “lick your neck,” according to the lawsuit.

The one-way courtship began in 1989 and continued for several years, she says.

Cassidy refused to heed the woman’s “repeated refusals and excuses not to participate in any sexual encounter,” according to Degerness’ lawyer, J. Gregory Lockwood.

Degerness was office manager when she was fired Nov. 18 after eight years at the firm.

She claims she lost her job because she kept complaining about Cassidy’s conduct.

But Associated Industries maintains Degerness was fired for taking a sick day when she really was preparing to file a lawsuit.

That’s not true, Degerness says. She also denies counterclaims accusing her of sending similarly suggestive e-mail to Cassidy and plotting to blackmail Associated Industries into giving her a pay raise.

Degerness said she complained to Murphy about Cassidy’s harassment numerous times but no corrective action was taken.

But Murphy maintains he sent a warning letter to Cassidy and ordered an independent investigation, which could not substantiate Degerness’ claims.