DALLAS (WBAP/KLIF News) – A lawsuit citing allegations of “sexual abuse, harassment, intimidation, and retaliation” was filed against Dallas County and Zachary Thompson today. The Spencer Scott Law Firm is pursuing the allegations on behalf of their client, Lynette Smith-Clay.
The suit alleges inappropriate actions by Mr. Thompson while while he was the Director of Dallas County Health and Human Services, and by Dallas County Human Resources after Ms. Smith-Clay came forward with her complaints.
According to a press release by the Spencer Scott Law Firm, “Instead of investigating her claims and seeking to help the victim, Ms. Smith-Clay was re-victimized by being threatened with yet another grievance and being asked to withdraw her complaint against Mr. Thompson.”
Lynette Smith-Clay still works for the county and said she still experiences what she considers harassment. “It’s still very difficult. It’s not the type of harassment that I endured with him. However, I feel like it is a form of harassment because I’m taken out of literally everything that would affect my day to day job.”
The lawsuit seeks damages for emotional distress and mental anguish in the amount of $300,000—the maximum amount of damages from Dallas County permitted by the Texas Commission on Human Rights Act, which is the law that prohibits sexual harassment in the workplace, plus attorney’s fees.
The suit also seeks at least $300,000 against Mr. Thompson, but the damages for the claim against him are not limited. According to the law firm, Mr. Thompson has refused to admit wrongdoing.
Thompson retired late last year and the county opened an internal investigation but has not released the results.
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