Vol. 54 No. 1

Trial Magazine

Verdicts & Settlements: Employment Law

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Wrongful Termination, Discrimination

January 2018

Edna Comedy, an African-American woman, was hired to work as Central Washington University’s chief human resources officer. From the outset, a white male colleague allegedly mistreated Comedy, including refusing to collaborate with her on critical issues, preventing her from presenting ideas to the university president, and commenting about her supposed liberalism. The colleague, who served as vice president of operations, fired her after five months.

Comedy, 65, who had a 30-year history of service in the public sector, was earning approximately $130,000 annually. She has not returned to work.

Comedy sued the state of Washington, alleging sex, race, and age discrimination; wrongful discharge; and violation of public policy. The defense argued that the vice president had received numerous complaints about Comedy and that she had issues with tardiness.

The parties settled for $150,000.

Citation: Comedy v. Cent. Wash. Univ., No. 15-2-02349-34 (Wash. Super. Ct. Thurston Cnty. June 16, 2017).

Plaintiff counsel: Scott M. Kane, East Wenatchee, Wash.