Officer's lawsuit accuses Granato of retaliation

YAKIMA, Wash. — A Yakima police officer this week filed a lawsuit against the city of Yakima, claiming that Chief Sam Granato retaliated against her because she was active with the police union.

Elaine Gonzalez filed the lawsuit in Yakima County Superior Court after the city rejected her claim for damages.

Gonzalez alleges that Granato ordered her back to patrol from the detective division within days of a September 2006 meeting with city officials in which Gonzalez and other union leaders expressed concerns about Granato.

Gonzalez also charges that Granato added critical remarks to an annual evaluation that had already been approved by her supervisors. Adding such remarks after an employee had signed the evaluation would be contrary to the department's past practice, according to the lawsuit.

Since becoming chief in 2003, Granato has faced continuing criticism from union leaders and officers that he targets some department members while favoring others.

Granato has denied any retaliation. A series of court and labor rulings have backed him up, though some of those cases have been appealed.

Assistant city attorney Helen Harvey said the city would defend itself against the lawsuit.

Granato did not respond to a request for comment.