Democrat Sues County Over Firing

Sat., May 6, 1995

By Jeanette White jeanettew@spokesman.com

A former coroner’s secretary filed a lawsuit Friday against Spokane County, claiming she was unjustly fired because she’s a Democrat.

Coroner Dexter Amend, a Republican, also was named as a defendant in the suit filed on behalf of Causna Albin.

Amend, according to the complaint, wanted to create an “allRepublican office” and violated Albin’s civil rights by firing her.

“We don’t agree with the lawsuit and we’re preparing to defend it,” said Claude Cox, the county’s risk manager. “We’re not thinking settlement.”

Cox declined comment on whether Albin was fired because of her politics.

“Because he’s an elected official, he can replace people at will,” Cox said.

Amend was at a convention in Portland on Friday and couldn’t be reached for comment.

The lawsuit, filed in Superior Court, doesn’t specify an amount of damages.

A claim filed in February, however, sought $1 million - $500,000 for punitive damages and $500,000 for loss of income, fringe benefits and retirement benefits.

Albin, who earned $29,085 per year, had worked at the coroner’s office for 14 years when Amend replaced Graham McConnell in January. At all times, her work was satisfactory, states the lawsuit filed by attorney William Powell.

Just before the New Year’s holiday weekend, Amend told Albin her “employment was terminated” and then gave her official written notice on Jan. 6, according to the lawsuit.

Albin was replaced by Anne Frank, a Republican state committeewoman and former campaign chairperson for county Commissioner Phil Harris.

“The replacement was irregularly done, out of compliance with Spokane County personnel rules and regulations,” the suit states.

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