Broadous tells 3 prosecutors to pack it up

Ax falls: Two of the three deputy prosecutors say they weren't given any reasons for the action taken by Broadous, who hasn't taken office yet.

By Joel Coffidis Dec. 15, 1994 The Olympian

Prosecuting Attorney-elect Bernardean Broadous has told three deputy prosecutors, including her election opponent John Bumford, to look for work elsewhere.

"I was stunned," said Carol Case, one of the three deputy prosecutors being forced out. "(Broadous) told me there was no place for me on her team. I asked her if I had done something wrong, and she said, 'It's my decision.'"

Bumford could not be reached for comment.

The shakeup at the Thurston County Prosecutor's Office comes in the wake of a bitterly contested campaign that was one of the most expensive in the county's history.

Bumford, a Democrat, spent nearby $72,000 of his own money on his campaign. A prosecuting attorney with 15 years of experience, he was backed by most of his peers.

During the campaign, Broadous, a Republican who was admitted to the bar three years ago, criticized Bumford for accepting support from fellow employees in the prosecutor's office. Broadous, reached late Wednesday, dismissed criticism that she's making personnel decisions prematurely - before taking office. "I'm doing what I believe is best in the long run," she said.

On Wednesday an atmosphere of uncertain reigned at the prosecutors office. "Everybody's anxious in the office as a result of these firings," said Rodney G. Franzen, a deputy prosecutor who gave notice on Dec. 8. "(Broadous) demonstrated she can fire on a whim."

Broadous informed Case of her impending dismissal on Monday and told her she must leave by Jan. 31. 'You could have knocked me over with a feather," said Case who took over as supervisor in the Juvenile division in March.

"I voted for Bernardean. Had I known she was going to fire me, I would not have," Case added.

Ruth Ammons, a deputy prosecuter who has handled felony drug cases for 2.5 years, was also given notice Monday afternoon.

"I would have liked being given a reason," Ammons said Wednesday. "(Broadous) didn't give me a chance to speak . . . I guess I'm still reeling."

Prosecuting Attorney Patrick Sutherland, who's retiring after five terms, was dismayed by Broadous' actions.

Sutherland said he freed up Broadous workload so she could work on the transition. But, he added "I never suspected that she would immediately start changing personnel. I'd hoped that she would wait on this till January."

Sutherland said he was particularly disturbed by Broadous' decision to post the chief criminal deputy position, now held by Gary Tabor. Tabor can reapply for the job, but Sutherland was so upset by the timing that he took the listing down, questioning Broadous decision to put it up while he's still the prosecutor.

On Wednesday afternoon, Sutherland told Jeff Watson, the office's chief deputy and civil deputy, that the posting should not have occurred until Broadous takes office after the first of the year. Watson, who is the contact person for the new positions, said the posting was appropriate because Broadous has indicated the changes she intends to make once in office.

Broadous defended her timing. "As transitions go, it is not too early," she said. "Legitimately and legally I can do this."

The intent was to give people ample notice to find other work, Broadous said. Also, some charges need to occur as soon as possible, she said.

"This office has to continue to function,'' Broadous said. Thirdly Broadous said she leaves on a two week vacation this weekend.

As for Tabor, he can reapply for his job, Broadous said. No position belongs to anyone except her, Broadous said.

Broadous said more changes are looming but declined to say if there'll be more firings.

There are 28 attorneys in the prosecutor's office, and there will be seven open or soon-to-be open slots when Broadous takes office.

Franzen's last day will be Dec. 31. "I cannot, need not and will not work for someone who I believe is both incompetent and untrustworthy," Franzen said.

Tabor, who is also handling Broadous' caseload, kept his comments upbeat. "I've been told I can apply for the job, and I fully intend to," said Tabor, the county's chief criminal deputy for 12 years. "Life goes on."

Below is an e-mail I received from a former Olympia, Washington resident.

From: ~~~~~~~~@aol.com
To: Louis Bloom manaco@whidbey.net
Sent: Wednesday, July 28, 1999 11:34 AM
Subject: OKBR
Just came across your pages and felt the urge to respond... In the early 80's (81-83) I was at the OKBR frequently as a young kid walking to/from school, I became friends with some of the boys. At one point a small boy confided to me that he was being raped by another boy in the home. The abusing boy talked about it openly!
Days later I walked the victim to OPD where we both gave statements. Later that evening I began to receive these incredibly threatening phone calls from a woman employee of the ranch who's name I believe was Paulette at my home. She kept calling over and over screaming at me calling me names. It was horrible. I thought I was helping someone. Nothing came of it. Then all these years later, it all comes out ... one of the boys that I had known there left as a young adult and still couldn't get it together, he eventually killed himself. As an adult now I don't often think back to those times but it still saddens me. All those boys that needed a safe nurturing place to be, and how many of them were better off for having been taken there? It's not about money. It cost these boys their lives, their souls, their trust. Those people who knew, who didn't care, they should feel such shame. Just my opinion.

From: louis a bloom manaco@whidbey.net
To: ~~~~~~~@aol.com
Sent: Wednesday, July 28, 1999 7:30 PM
Subject: Re: OKBR
thanks for your e-mail. from what i've read, dshs, the olympia police department, and other "authorities" didn't consider child on child rape to be against the law. it was considered "normal experimentation". The "paulette" you mention, may have been Collette Queener who was an assistant director at the OKBR. Collette, OKBR Director Tom Van Woerdan, and OKBR counselor Laura Rambo Russell were ineptly charged by Wa. St. with "criminal mistreatment for failing to stop abuse". The charges were dismissed by Thurston County Judge Daniel Berschauer on technicalities. The lawyer who represented Collette Queener said, (Nov. 14, 1996 Olympian), that it was a "witch hunt", and that " a more innocent person (than Queener) you could not have for a client. She's an ex-nun ..... I don't see how you could view her in an evil or negative light."
I congratulate you for doing the right thing, when all those adults looked the other way. I repeat on most pages that the " OKBR has cost the Washington State taxpayers over $35 million dollars (so far)", because I think most people don't care about the kids involved, but they may care that it has cost them (taxpayers) money.
louis bloom

manaco@whidbey.net