Unified Government settles case, apologizes to former employee battered by her boss
The Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, Kansas paid $125,000 to settle a lawsuit brought last year by a former employee who was the victim of battery by her boss.
The Unified Government also apologized to Madeline Waldeck for the hostile work environment she faced while working for Dennis “Tib” Laughlin, the former director of general services.
Waldeck had accused Laughlin of harassing her, culminating in a 2018 incident in which he grabbed and pushed her. Waldeck’s lawsuit said she had complained to the UG about Laughlin’s behavior, which included sexually suggestive and degrading remarks as well as an incident in which Laughlin struck her in the arm. The UG, however, took no action against Laughlin, according to her lawsuit.
By April 2018, Waldeck decided to resign, effective May 11, 2018. Waldeck called police on May 1 after Laughlin grabbed her by the shirt and pushed her into a wall, causing her pain, according to the lawsuit.
It was that incident for which a jury found Laughlin guilty of misdemeanor battery in 2019.
“On behalf of the Unified Government, we sincerely apologize to you and your family for your experience as an employee of the Unified Government under the supervision of former employee Dennis Laughlin,” reads an apology signed by assistant UG administrator Gordon Criswell, which was included in a copy of the settlement that The Star obtained through a public records request. “Mr. Laughlin’s conduct was unacceptable and in one instance was criminal in nature. We wish you the best in your future endeavors and in your promising career in public service.”
Apologies are not common in settlements of civil cases. Parties most often do not admit fault and instead say they chose to settle to avoid the costs and risks of litigation.
Waldeck told The Star on Monday that she insisted on the apology, which she said was more important to her than money, as the case worked toward a resolution.
“I think Wyandotte County is full of a lot of great people and it’s a great place to live and a great place to raise a family,” said Waldeck, who now works in Johnson County government. “I hope that by me sharing my story things will change for the good and that I can help others.”
Sarah Brown, a Kansas City lawyer who brought the lawsuit on Waldeck’s behalf along with Andrew McCue, said Waldeck was pleased to resolve the case rather than litigate the matter another year or so.
“I think her whole object was to not have any other women exposed to that conduct in the workplace,” Brown said. “That was one of the reasons she brought the lawsuit, was to make the Unified Government accountable.”
After Laughlin was convicted last year, the Unified Government released a statement saying it had “thoroughly investigated” Waldeck’s complaint and that it “came to a different conclusion than the jury.” The following day, the Unified Government said it would fire Laughlin if he chose not to resign, which he did.
A message seeking comment from Laughlin, was not returned. The Unified Government did not respond to a message seeking comment, either.
