Pierce County executive testifies in investigation of medical examiner

PIERCE COUNTY, Wash. — Video depositions in the wake of a whistleblower complaint targeting Pierce County Medical Examiner Dr. Thomas Clark include an admission by the county executive that he had not read the complaint, and wasn’t sure why he was being questioned about it.

Pierce County Executive Bruce Dammeier is just one of the county officials called to testify by deposition in the investigation of Clark. Clark is the subject of several complaints including the whistleblower complaint filed by now suspended associate medical examiner Dr. Megan Quinn. But under questioning, Dammeier admits he isn't familiar with Quinn's allegations.

“Have you read Dr. Quinn’s whistleblower or retaliation complaint?” Dammeier is asked by attorney Joan Mell. “No I have not,” he responds. Mell continued, “Do you know why we’re here today?” Dammeier answers, “Um, honestly? No.”

Dammeier made the decision to place Quinn on administrative leave in February, less than a month after she went public with her complaint a move Quinn called retaliation.

Concerns about retaliation within the medical examiner's office have also been voiced by forensic investigators for Pierce County who spoke to KIRO 7 in March.

“We’re terrified to speak out because we’re afraid of retaliation, we’re afraid of bullying,” said forensic investigator Jill Lombardi. Investigator Jacob Atzet added, “I don’t think Dr. Clark should be in charge or oversee any human being.”

In another deposition obtained by KIRO 7, Medical Examiner Services Manager Sharon Johnson didn't criticize Clark but offered an assessment of his personality at work.

“He will continue, he will fight and fight and fight and fight until the end if he feels he’s been done wrong,” Johnson testified.

Dammeier’s communications director sent the following statement to KIRO 7 regarding his testimony: “In response to complaints regarding the Medical Examiner’s Office, I read the initial whistleblower complaint and determined we needed to begin an independent investigation to determine the facts of the situation. I have intentionally kept myself at some distance from the various other filings and accusations so that when the time comes for me to take action I will be able to do so based on the findings of the independent investigator.”

See our previous coverage of the Pierce County’s Medical Examiner below.

August 19: Pierce County's prosecuting attorney says subpoenas demanding records from media won't be refiled

May 14: Employee claims Pierce County Medical Examiner fabricated evidence

April 11: Family of teen who died in fall from Puyallup bridge suing to have cause of death changed

March 13: Employees speak out on Pierce County Medical Examiner

March 12: Family claims Pierce County medical examiner should not have ruled son's death a suicide

March 8: Attorney representing Pierce County Medical Examiner responds to complaints

March 7: Independent review unveils concerns on some of Pierce County Medical Examiner's conclusions

March 6: Police speak out on how Pierce County medical examiner handled possible homicide case

March 4: Pierce County Medical Examiner Dr. Thomas Clark now facing three separate complaints

March 1: New details on the investigation into Pierce County Medical Examiner Dr. Tom Clark

January 24: Whistleblower accuses Pierce County Medical Examiner of shoddy death investigations