Thurston County Board: Clouse’s conduct ‘would result in the termination of any regular county employee’

An internal investigation by the Thurston County Board of Commissioners revealed that Commissioner Emily Clouse violated public trust and ethical guidelines in her treatment of her executive aide, Allyn Hershey, who had filed a harassment complaint before being dismissed. Although the investigation found no legal liability for harassment against the county, it highlighted significant ethical breaches by Clouse. In a surprising decision, the board announced plans to reinstate her to her roles in various boards and commissions in 2024, despite expressing disappointment in her conduct. They noted that such behavior would result in termination for any regular county employee, stressing the need for greater accountability for elected officials. The board is urging Clouse to reflect on her actions and work towards restoring trust within the county government and its constituents, while also implementing reforms to prevent similar issues in the future.

Clouse's attorney has criticized the investigation's conclusions, claiming they mischaracterize her actions.