Western State Hospital Pays $995,000 To Settle Sexual Harassment Lawsuit

The Washington State Department of Social and Health Services and the Washington Federation of State Employees union have agreed to pay nearly $1 million to settle a sexual harassment lawsuit that was scheduled to go to trial next week.

Jackie Delgado, one of more than a dozen women who claimed they were sexually harassed and bullied by Barrette Green, a former Western State Hospital employee, was awarded $995,000 plus attorney’s fees in the settlement.

Green was accused of harassing Delgado for years, including pressuring her into a sexual relationship and at one point holding an unloaded gun to her head. Delgado claims the state did nothing to intervene, despite her multiple complaints.

This case has prompted the Department of Social and Health Services to overhaul its sexual harassment policies and training. The DSHS now requires employees and supervisors to attend training about appropriate workplace behavior, and how complaints should be handled.