Comment on 2nd lawsuit filed against sheriff of King County

SEATTLE (AP) — Another longtime deputy has filed a lawsuit accusing King County Sheriff John Urquhart of discrimination against female employees. The Seattle Times reported that Mary Syson, 53, a patrol officer who’s worked in the department for 24 years, filed the complaint Friday. The suit claims Urquhart and several sergeants under his command repeatedly harassed and targeted her in recent years because she’s an older woman who spoke out against unfair treatment. Seattle attorney Julie Kays, who is representing Syson, contends that Urquhart’s retaliation against her client intensified after Syson publicly spoke out against his alleged sexism during his first campaign for sheriff in 2012. Urquhart denied the claims Tuesday. A former deputy, 56-year-old Andrea Alexander, filed a lawsuit earlier in the week with similar claims. She also contends Urquhart illegally fired her.