The Pierce County Council unanimously approved a settlement for $1 million to former Pierce County Superior Court Clerk Constance White on Tuesday in response to a claim White filed on March 31 alleging discrimination and retaliation against her as an African American woman.
According to the claim, which asked for a $5.5 million settlement, White alleged since 2022 she was discriminated against based on her status. White said her input was sought on issues like race but “as to the merits of Clerk’s Office standards, I was ignored and marginalized.”
White was appointed Pierce County Clerk in December 2021. County communications manager Kyle Schmidtke confirmed Wednesday that White is on leave and that Julie Murray has been serving as active interim clerk since Monday. Murray is executive counsel to Executive Ryan Mello…