filed by Trish House seeks $1.2 million for her claims of wrongful termination.
In the lawsuit, lawyers for Trish House say she faced more scrutiny after participating in an ethics complaint against the commissioners.
"Plaintiff witnessed and informally documented numerous instances of unethical behavior, including improper hiring of unqualified political associates, interference in contract approvals, and misuse of county resources," the lawsuit reads. "This includes Plaintiff's support of Director of Public Health Michael Weber in filing an ethics complaint with the Bureau of Labor and Industries."
She was fired in April 2024 after county commissioners brought forward citizens' complaints against her.
Former Commissioner John West, who was recalled last year, said her firing had nothing to do with her claims of unethical behavior against him.
鈥淭hat's all lies. It's all crap. She can't prove it," he said. "I look forward to this going to trial or going to a jury, because I think they will find out, 鈥極h, boy, there was more to this.鈥欌��
The full details of the complaints against House were not made public, but they could be during this lawsuit.
During her disciplinary hearing on April 29, 2025, the county鈥檚 legal counsel said House used disparaging and vulgar language against commissioners and county government when talking to citizens. House said during the hearing that these were the first complaints she received during her five-and-a-half years working for Josephine County.
House鈥檚 lawyers declined to be interviewed at this stage, as they wait to receive evidence from the county. The lawsuit was filed now because the statute of limitations is set to expire on some of her claims.
