The current city clerk and a former city planning technician have filed federal lawsuits alleging Florence city officials knew about sexual harassment and sexual abuse by the former city manager and failed to protect female employees.
The lawsuits against the City of Florence and former city manager Michael Patterson were filed on behalf of City Clerk Jessica Hill and former city planning technician Shay Ardrey.
Both women reported the sexual abuse and harassment allegations to the Florence Police Department during its criminal investigation of Patterson. That investigation led to Patterson’s arrest last November. He is currently facing charges of felony stalking, unlawful sexual contact, and providing alcohol to a minor for his alleged behavior towards women who worked for him at the Florence City Hall.
The lawsuits go into detail about a sexual harassment claim that the City of Florence settled in 2019 after the former city clerk came forward to report sexual harassment allegations against Patterson. The lawsuits also claim the former clerk was terminated in retaliation for reporting the harassment.
Hill and Ardrey are suing the City of Florence for discrimination, sexual harassment, outrageous conduct, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligent hiring, negligent supervision, and negligent retention. Hill is also suing the city for retaliation and Patterson for civil assault, battery, defamation, and false imprisonment.
Patterson is expected to be back in Fremont County Court today for a hearing in the case.
