Former Grays Harbor County Fairgrounds employee Kelly Peterson-Lalka recently filed a lawsuit against Grays Harbor County in Thurston County Superior Court.
Peterson-Lalka’s tort claim alleges that former Fair and Event Supervisor Rod Easton engaged in racist and misogynistic behavior and harassed women and people of color for nearly two decades. She also accused former Facilities Maintenance Supervisor Ron Scott of creating a hostile work environment.
According to court documents, Peterson-Lalka was hired by Grays Harbor County in October 2003, and during her tenure, she reported instances of sexual harassment, use of racial slurs, and sexualization of children working at the Grays Harbor County Fairgrounds in Elma. She alleges that the county did not act on these allegations.
The lawsuit alleges that Easton “engaged in an open, sustained course of sexual, gender-based, racial, and predatory harassment at the County Fairgrounds” and that his behavior was directed at Peterson-Lalka, other female employees, members of the public, and children, including Peterson-Lalka’s. Her daughter Danika claims that Easton routinely used racial slurs and denigrated her mother and brother. The lawsuit recounts numerous first-hand instances when Easton engaged in racist and sexual commentary, particularly in reference to African Americans.
According to the complaint, Peterson-Lalka began reporting Easton’s behavior to then-new Fair Director Mike Bruner in 2009, who, Peterson-Lalka says, documented her issues and concerns in handwritten notes. The lawsuit alleges that Easton’s racist and misogynistic behavior continued through the 2025 Grays Harbor County Fair, and that Scott threw a key ring at Peterson-Lalka.
The lawsuit also describes in detail and on the specific occasions the county allegedly failed to investigate these misconduct reports. Bruner, then-Public Works Director Mark Cox and members of the county’s Human Resources department are specifically called out for failing to act. The county is also accused of deleting a video depicting the key throwing incident.
The complaint claims the defendants’ conduct caused Peterson-Lalka “severe emotional distress with objective physical manifestations,” and the destruction of a 20-year career, and that her children suffered fear, humiliation, embarrassment, confusion, and lasting distress.
“Because this is an active lawsuit, I’m limited in what I can say about the specific allegations or circumstances involved,” said Grays Harbor County District 1 Commissioner Georgia Miller. “I was not serving on the board during the period in question, so I cannot speak to what previous commissioners or county personnel may or may not have known at that time. What I can speak to is the current board’s commitment to taking concerns seriously and acting responsibly when issues are brought to our attention. We value our county employees, and our focus is on providing responsible leadership and ensuring the Fairgrounds is operated appropriately.”
Peterson-Lalka’s lawsuit is not the only recent formal complaint against Easton. The use of a racial slur and racially charged language in reference to current Grays Harbor Fairgrounds and Tourism Director Nikki Brown rose to the level of a Grays Harbor County Sheriff’s Office investigation. Detective Dylan Spencer referred the incident to the Grays Harbor County Prosecutor’s Office, which declined to file formal charges against Easton.
“Although Easton’s words are abhorrent and hurtful, they do not rise to the level of a crime,” Grays Harbor County Prosecuting Attorney Jason Walker wrote in a letter. “In order to charge Hate Crime Offense (previously called Malicious Harassment), we would also need to prove that a ‘threat’ was made. RCW 9A.36.080(1)(c). Pursuant to that statute, [w]ords alone do not constitute a hate crime offense unless the context or circumstances surrounding the words indicate the words are a threat. … In this case, there is strong evidence that Easton dislikes Ms. Brown due to past workplace disagreements. In context, a factfinder would most likely believe that Easton’s use of a racial slur and hateful imagery was intended to emphasize his dislike of Ms. Brown, rather than general racial animosity.”
Regarding the allegations against Easton involving Nikki Brown, Miller said action was taken as quickly as possible.
“When I became aware of a deeply concerning and threatening, racially motivated statement involving a county employee, I immediately notified Human Resources, the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office and the Sheriff,” Miller said. “I took the matter seriously and advocated for immediate action to ensure the safety of our employee. The individual involved was no longer employed by the county at the time the threats were made and since has been trespassed from county property. Because of the circumstances and any potential personnel or legal matters, I won’t comment further on the specifics.”
Peterson-Lalka and her co-plaintiffs are asking the court to award “damages, economic and non-economic as will be proven at the time of trial.”
