Another Black Pierce County leader has filed a claim for damages with the county, alleging she was wrongfully terminated from her role in the Pierce County Superior Court Clerk’s Office. Tonya Moore told The News Tribune Friday she believed she was discriminated against as a Black woman.
Moore’s $4 million claim follows similar allegations of discrimination and different treatment from other Black leaders in recent years. Former Pierce County Human Services director Gary Gant alleged “white privilege and racism” in his July complaint, and former Pierce County Superior Court Clerk Constance White received a $1 million settlement from the county in May 2025 after alleging similar discrimination. All three are represented by attorney Joan Mell, who has frequently represented public employees in Pierce County in lawsuits against local governments and most recently attempted to represent Sheriff Keith Swank in his public conflicts with Executive Ryan Mello and Prosecutor Mary Robnett.
In a statement to The News Tribune on Thursday, Pierce County said it was deeply committed to “ensuring a positive, connected and supportive workplace for all our employees.”…