Grand County Commission Chair Bill Winfield speaks during a 2024 meeting. He is named in a new legal claim alleging harassment and retaliation against women in county government.
By Andrew | The Moab Times-Independent | File Photo
Ten current or former Grand County employees and officials filed a legal Notice of Claim on Sept. 15 alleging systemic harassment, discrimination and retaliation against women in county government.
The claim, submitted by former county attorney Christina Sloan, marks the first step toward a potential lawsuit under Utah’s Governmental Immunity Act. It comes two weeks after Commissioner Mary McGann alleged during a Sept. 2 meeting that Grand County had become a “hostile, toxic work environment” for women, saying at least eight had resigned as a result. She later said her concerns included Winfield and Martinez.
The filing names Commission Chair Bill Winfield and Commissioner Brian Martinez as elected officials accused of creating or contributing to a hostile work environment through inappropriate conduct, abuse of authority and retaliatory behavior. It also alleges that the county’s commission administrator and human resources director failed to act on complaints submitted over more than 15 months, leaving women without protection.
The notice is signed by Commissioners Mary McGann and Trish Hedin, former Personnel Services Director Renee Baker, Lisa Ceniceros, former Canyonlands Regional Airport Director Tammy Howland, former Assistant Airport Director Tara Collins, current Civil Paralegal Cristin Hofhine, former planner Machael Layton, former Commission Administrator Mallory Nassau and current Responsible Recreation Coordinator Anna Sprout.
In an email to The Times-Independent, Sloan said the 10 women represent many more who chose not to come forward out of fear of harassment or losing their jobs.
Read more at MoabTimes.com.
This article is published through the Utah News Collaborative, a partnership of news organizations in Utah that aims to inform readers across the state.