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5 stories about financial challenges, turnover at Pierce County Clerk’s Office

Stories by Tacoma News Tribune journalists, with AI summarization

This list of stories shows that the Pierce County Clerk’s Office faced financial problems and leadership challenges in recent years. An audit reported delayed bank reconciliations and unclear responsibility for disbursement.

There were also complaints about a toxic workplace and high staff turnover. The former clerk alleged discrimination and retaliation, and the county council approved a $1 million settlement.

Pierce County Superior Court Clerk’s office at the County-City Building in Tacoma, Washington, on Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023.

NO. 1: ‘CAUSE FOR SERIOUS CONCERN.’ CLERK’S OFFICE LACKS PROPER FINANCIAL CONTROLS, AUDIT FINDS

“I have not in my eight years seen a clerk’s office have this problem in Washington state,” State Auditor Pat McCarthy told The News Tribune. | Published March 4, 2024 | Read Full Story by Becca Most

Pierce County Superior Court Clerk’s office at the County-City Building in Tacoma, Washington, on Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023.

NO. 2: AMID FINANCIAL ISSUES, PIERCE COUNTY CLERK STAFF ALLEGED A TOXIC WORKPLACE ENVIRONMENT

An audit said significant staff turnover contributed to millions of dollars of delayed bank reconciliations and disbursements. | Published March 6, 2024 | Read Full Story by Becca Most

Pierce County Superior Court Clerk’s office at the County-City Building in Tacoma, Washington, on Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023.

NO. 3: PRIVATE FIRM USED SPACE IN PIERCE COUNTY CLERK’S OFFICE RENT FREE FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS

The revelation comes after a recent audit found the department to have a “significant lack” of control and general oversight. | Published May 10, 2024 | Read Full Story by Becca Most

Pierce County Superior Court Clerk’s office at the County-City Building in Tacoma, Washington, on Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023.

NO. 4: OWNER OF TITLE COMPANY THAT WORKED RENT-FREE IN PIERCE COUNTY CLERK’S OFFICE SPEAKS OUT

“... if they brought up paying for the room or something, we would have been happy to work that out one way or the other,” she said. | Published May 16, 2024 | Read Full Story by Becca Most

Constance White received a $1 million settlement from Pierce County after she alleged she was discriminated and retaliated against as a Black woman.

NO. 5: EX-PIERCE COUNTY COURT CLERK GETS $1M AFTER COMPLAINTS OF TOXIC WORK ENVIRONMENT

“I was not permitted to lead and staff were encouraged to undermine my authority and treat me with disrespect,” she said in a claim against the county. | Published May 15, 2025 | Read Full Story by Becca Most

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.