成人X站

MYNORTHWEST POLITICS

Rep. Caldier being investigated, again, after revealing redacted witnesses’ names

May 8, 2024, 2:41 PM | Updated: 2:59 pm

Image: Rep. Michelle Caldier, R-Gig Harbor, is a member of the Washington House of Representatives....

Rep. Michelle Caldier, R-Gig Harbor, is a member of the Washington House of Representatives. (Photo courtesy of the Washington State House Republicans)

(Photo courtesy of the Washington State House Republicans)

A Washington state representative revealed the names of several employees who were previously witnesses in an investigationinto the representative’s conduct, a violation of the House of Representatives’ , a new report states.

According to the eight-page report released Monday and published in , , R-Gig Harbor, publicly identified three people interviewed for an investigation to reporters last December. The names of the three individuals were redacted. It is a violation to share the identity of anyone who submits a complaint or serves as a witness in an investigation. (Readers can view a document from the state legislature stating its respectful workplace policies as a PDF .)

Caldier was previously investigated by the chief clerk of the Washington House of Representatives last December for repeatedly belittling, berating and swearing at staff members, leaving some “traumatized” by the experience.

More on Washington politics: President Biden returns to Seattle Friday, Mariners back in town

Caldier demonstrated “a pattern of behavior in which she lashes out at people, makes public statements that have the impact of demeaning and embarrassing individuals and is generally disrespectful,” Sheryl Willert, an employment law expert who conducted the December 2023 investigation, wrote in her findings.

Caldier’s Spokane Airport bathroom incident

Investigations into the lawmaker began when an unidentified person recognized her in a bathroom at in 2022 as Caldier was applying makeup. When the person greeted Caldier and introduced herself, the representative ignored that person. When she tried a second time, Caldier called the individual a “horrible person” in front of multiple witnesses.

An investigation into her behavior was launched the following month, eventually leading to an 87-page document that found a pattern of communication challenges with her staff. According to the document, which published in December, Caldier was described as “unpleasant,” “a yeller” and “generally unappreciative.” The investigation found she went through 10 legislative assistants between 2015 and 2022.

Caldier appealed the findings of the December probe.

Revealing witnesses’ names, Caldier’s newest investigation

According to , Caldier claimed she was not trying to retaliate when revealing the names of certain individuals, but just wanted to get her side of the story regarding the Spokane Airport bathroom out, which involved the once unnamed individuals.

Kathleen Haggard, an attorney who spearheaded Caldier’s most recent investigation, disagreed with Caldier’s sentiment.

Tiffany Smiley running for Congress: ‘I don鈥檛 recognize our country anymore’

“She lashed out at the witnesses not only by disclosing their names, but by portraying them as political operatives,” Haggard stated in her findings. “In doing so, she may have damaged their careers. This was a failure of respect, dignity and civility in violation of the Legislative Code of Conduct.”

Chief Clerk Bernard Dean stated decisions on both her appeal and any potential consequences will be revealed “within the coming week.” Punishment could range from a letter of reprimand to reduced staff or loss of committee assignments.

“This is how you destroy someone’s political career by destroying their reputation,” Caldier said, according to . “I have to trust the public will see through this.”

Frank Sumrall is a content editor at MyNorthwest. You can read his stories听here听and you can email him听here.

MyNorthwest Politics

Photo: Washington Attorney General Nick Brown speaks to media outside the US Courthouse....

成人X站 Newsradio Staff with Wire Reports

Washington’s AG calls 10-year ban on US states regulating AI ‘dangerous’

Washington's AG warns a decade-long AI ban on states is dangerous for regulation and oversight in the tech industry.

2 days ago

college...

Jonah Oaklief

Bipartisan bill promises college access for low-income students

Senate Bill 5543 aims to lower college costs and eliminate barriers for low-income students, expanding educational opportunities.

3 days ago

birthright citizenship...

成人X站 Newsradio Staff with Wire Reports

AG Brown defends birthright citizenship as Supreme Court weighs order, nationwide injunctions

AG Brown argues for birthright citizenship as Supreme Court reviews Trump's order and nationwide injunctions.

3 days ago

Trump...

成人X站 Newsradio Staff with Wire Reports

Trump’s birthright citizenship executive order to go before U.S. Supreme Court

The U.S. Supreme Court hears Trump's executive order on birthright citizenship affecting children of undocumented parents.

5 days ago

FEMA (1) immigration funding...

James Lynch

Washington joins 19 states in lawsuits over immigration funding threats

Washington AG Nick Brown files lawsuit over Trump鈥檚 threats to immigration funding,

6 days ago

Tonya Woo is on a mission to revitalize Little Saigon in Seattle. But she needs the city's help. (P...

Tonya Woo, SPECIAL CONTRIBUTOR TO MYNORTHWEST

Tonya Woo: It’s time for Seattle to invest in Little Saigon鈥檚 future

Former Seattle City Councilmember Tonya Woo is on a mission to revitalize Little Saigon.

6 days ago

Rep. Caldier being investigated, again, after revealing redacted witnesses’ names