AG Ferguson: Judge dismisses Seattle Pacific University’s lawsuit to stop Attorney General inquiry into discrimination complaints

Decide rejects SPU’s arguments that its hiring practices are immune from state regulation

OLYMPIA — Lawyer Basic Bob Ferguson right now introduced {that a} federal choose dismissed Seattle Pacific College’s try to cease his workplace’s investigation into potential unlawful discrimination by the college’s administration.

“My workplace respects the non secular views of all Washingtonians and the constitutional rights afforded to non secular establishments,” Ferguson stated. “As an individual of religion, I share that view. Seattle Pacific College, nonetheless, isn’t above the regulation. As an alternative of answering questions on its hiring course of, the college filed a federal lawsuit arguing that it’s above the regulation to such a rare diploma that my workplace can’t even ship it a letter asking for details about its employment insurance policies. Right now, a federal choose appropriately rejected that excessive place. It’s our duty to uphold Washingtonians’ civil rights, and we plan to do this job.”

In Might, Seattle Pacific College (SPU) college students and workers staged a sit-in and known as for the removing of the college’s board of trustees after they voted to maintain in place the portion of the college’s insurance policies that prohibit staff from participating in “same-sex sexual exercise.” Quite a few SPU college students and school complained to the Lawyer Basic’s Workplace concerning the college’s insurance policies, involved that they illegally violate Washingtonians’ civil rights.

Ferguson despatched the college a letter in response to those complaints from involved Washingtonians. The letter requested 4 primary questions concerning the college’s insurance policies.

The Lawyer Basic’s Workplace didn’t publicize the letter, nor did Ferguson announce the investigation. In response to the inquiry, Seattle Pacific College filed a federal lawsuit within the U.S. District Courtroom for the Western District of Washington in search of to dam the workplace from investigating its hiring practices. Quickly after, in response to media inquiries, Ferguson publicly confirmed that his workplace was investigating the college’s insurance policies, together with a coverage that will require the college to refuse to rent LGBTQ workers.

In August, Ferguson filed a movement to dismiss SPU’s lawsuit, asking the courtroom to dismiss the college’s try to quash the investigation. In response, SPU filed an amended criticism, which Ferguson additionally moved to dismiss. Decide Robert Bryan granted that movement right now, ruling that SPU is asking for a change in state regulation that the federal courtroom can’t grant, and that any First Modification arguments by the college ought to be raised in state courtroom. Decide Bryan was appointed to the US District Courtroom in 1986 by President Ronald Reagan.

The Lawyer Basic’s Workplace Wing Luke Civil Rights Division remains to be conducting its investigation into the college’s hiring practices. Anybody who believes they have been topic to attainable employment discrimination by SPU ought to contact the Civil Rights Division at civilrights@atg.wa.gov.

Assistant Lawyer Basic Daniel Jeon,  Litigation & Administrative Supervisor Keely Tafoya, and Authorized Assistant Tiffany Jennings dealt with Washington’s movement to dismiss.

Ferguson created the Wing Luke Civil Rights Division in 2015 to guard the rights of all Washingtonians by implementing state and federal anti-discrimination legal guidelines. Ferguson named the division for Wing Luke, who served as an Assistant Lawyer Basic for the State of Washington within the late Fifties and early Nineteen Sixties. He went on to grow to be the primary particular person of coloration elected to the Seattle Metropolis Council and the primary Asian-American elected to public workplace within the Pacific Northwest.

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Washington’s Lawyer Basic serves the individuals and the state of Washington. Because the state’s largest regulation agency, the Lawyer Basic’s Workplace gives authorized illustration to each state company, board, and fee in Washington. Moreover, the Workplace serves the individuals immediately by implementing client safety, civil rights, and environmental safety legal guidelines. The Workplace additionally prosecutes elder abuse, Medicaid fraud, and handles sexually violent predator instances in 38 of Washington’s 39 counties. Go to www.atg.wa.gov to be taught extra.

Media Contact:

Brionna Aho, Communications Director, (360) 753-2727; Brionna.aho@atg.wa.gov

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