Former Washington Public Utilities Director Accused of Sexually Harassing Four Women

Joseph Arthur Taffe, a former Clatskanie Public Utilities Director Manager has been accused of groping and harassing four female workers.

The charging documents say that Taffe touched two women’s breasts and the buttocks of a third woman.

A fourth complainant stated that Taffe subjected her to “offensive physical contact.”

Taffe is facing criminal sexual abuse over the incidents which occurred in March of last year. He was a served a summons to appear in court in late June.

Taffe began working for the utilities department in 2002 but retired in late January. When asked if the allegations had an effect on his decision to leave the department he said “somewhat.”

Taffe was shocked by the criminal charges and was under the impression that disciplinary action and separation from his job settled the matter.

Sexual harassment and discrimination are strictly forbidden in the workplace, but still many people engage in this abusive behavior. The victims find it necessary to hire a sexual harassment attorney because their employers refuse to take the allegations seriously.

In addition to ignoring a staffer’s complaints, employers sometimes address sexual harassment and discrimination by taking action against the person who reports the harassment. Retaliation is a legitimate reason for an abused employee to retain a Washington sexual harassment lawyer.

Hostile work environments can lead to emotional distress and other mental health issues for target of unwanted sexual contact. If they have followed company policies by filing an official complaint with no results then they must look to a sexual harassment attorney in Washington to seek damages.