Ten current and former female Grand County employees filed a formal Notice of Claim against the county today, alleging harassment and retaliation by county commissioners— specifically naming commissioners Bill Winfield and Brian Martinez. The notice represents the first formal step towards filing a lawsuit against the County.
The claim, filed by Moab attorney Christina Sloan on behalf of employees including former County Administrator Mallory Nassau and current staff member Cristin Hofhine, details 19 specific types of alleged discriminatory behavior spanning the past 15 months.
The claimants include Building Inspector Lisa Ceniceros, Commissioner Trish Hedin, paralegal Cristin Hofhine, Commissioner Mary McGann, and Responsible Recreation Coordinator Anna Sprout as well as former Airport Director Tammy Howland, former planner Machael Layton, former Assistant Airport Director Tara Collins, former HR Director Renee Baker, and former County Administrator Mallory Nassau.
“There is no truth to the allegations made against me,” Martinez said in a statement to the Moab Sun News.
Several of the claimants have been subjects of recent Moab Sun News coverage regarding county personnel changes.
Hofhine was controversially removed as Interim Zoning Administrator by the county commission earlier this year, herself saying the county viewed employees as “disposable.”
Nassau, a former county administrator, departed her position in 2024 . On her departure, she issued a public statement saying that the county was an “untenable and hostile situation.”
According to the legal filing, the county only began investigating workplace conditions “after official Mary McGann took this matter public at the last meeting of the Grand County Commission, during a discussion about the Commission’s controversial removal of a staff member, Cristin Hofhine, as Interim Zoning Administrator.”
Harassment allegations
The Notice of Claim details a pattern of behavior that the women say has created a hostile work environment, including:
• Inappropriate staring during meetings and conversations
• Attempting to manipulate female staff by pressuring their spouses
• Asking questions about family planning and childbearing
• Removing or forcing out female staff from critical positions
• Interfering with hiring decisions to prevent promotion of women
• Leaking information from closed sessions to third parties
• Embarrassing and belittling female staff in public and private meetings
• Retaliating against women for exercising free speech rights
The document states that county leadership, including the Commission Administrator Mark Tyner and Human Resources department, have received complaints for over 15 months with no corrective action being taken.
“None of this is news to the Commission Administrator or HR Director,” Sloan states in the notice. “They have received numerous written and verbal complaints not just from County staff and officials about these behaviors, but also by County partner agencies made uncomfortable from these behaviors in private and public meetings.”
Widespread impact
According to the filing, the alleged discrimination has forced some women to resign rather than face a hostile work environment daily. Others report medical issues including depression, anxiety, migraines, and insomnia requiring intervention and therapy.
The attorney noted that an additional 10 female county staff, officials, volunteers, and contractors have experienced similar treatment but “have chosen not to participate in this process in an effort to protect their jobs or in fear of retaliation.”
What happens next
Under Utah law, Grand County has 60 days to respond to the Notice of Claim before the claimants can file a formal lawsuit in court.
The next Grand County Commission meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, September 16, at 4:00 p.m. at the Grand County Courthouse. Residents can submit public comments during the meeting or by emailing commission@grandcountyutah.gov.
The claimants are demanding an apology, training, education, and “a dramatic shift in culture.” They also seek a thorough formal investigation, determination of wrongdoing, and public censure of the named commissioners.
For some of the women, the claim indicates that damages for lost wages and mental anguish compensation are appropriate.
Attorney Christina Sloan, herself the former Grand County Attorney, stated she and her clients are currently not granting interviews, given the sensitive nature of the claims and pending legal process.
“The 10 women who have signed on to this Notice of Claim, who are bold enough to finally stand up and say enough is enough, speak for many more women at the County who cannot speak freely,” Sloan said in a statement.
The Moab Sun News has reached out to Grand County officials for comment on the allegations.
Appreciate the coverage? Help keep local news alive.
Chip in to support the Moab Sun News.
