Former Seattle Fire HR Director Files Lawsuit Alleging Retaliation, Whistleblower Violations, and Discrimination
The former Seattle Fire Department Human Resources Director has filed suit against the city, Fire Chief Harold Scoggins, and Public Safety Civil Service Commission Director Andrea Scheele, alleging whistleblower retaliation, discrimination, hostile work environment, wrongful termination, and public records violations.
Sarah Lee, served as SFD’s HR director from December 2021 until her termination in 2025. Prior to joining SFD, Lee was an assistant city attorney in Seattle’s employment law section. According to the complaint, Lee consistently received “Exceeds Expectations” performance evaluations during her tenure and was nominated for leadership recognition in 2024.
In her complaint, Lee alleges that she repeatedly raised concerns about unsafe practices within SFD, including firefighters and dispatch personnel allegedly working while under the influence of alcohol. The complaint describes multiple instances in which Lee recommended fitness-for-duty evaluations and restrictions on driving apparatus, which she claims were ignored by senior leadership. One allegation involves a firefighter driver with a history of preventable collisions who, according to the complaint, continued to operate fire apparatus despite Lee’s objections.
Lee also alleges she raised concerns about compliance with wage and hour laws, including the obligation to pay firefighters for interrupted meal and rest breaks. The complaint claims that after she pressed these issues, she was excluded from executive meetings and subjected to disparaging comments about her role as an attorney within the fire service hierarchy.
The lawsuit further details Lee’s involvement in investigations of discrimination and sexual harassment complaints by female firefighters. She alleges that she advocated for prompt remedial action, including administrative leave in certain cases, and that senior leadership resisted those recommendations. According to the complaint, Lee warned that failures to act could expose the department to further liability and retaliation claims.
In addition to retaliation and hostile work environment claims under Washington’s Law Against Discrimination, Lee asserts whistleblower violations under state law and Seattle’s municipal code, wrongful termination in violation of public policy, and violations of the Public Records Act and personnel file inspection statutes. She alleges that after her termination, the City delayed or withheld production of requested records, including her own personnel file.
The complaint seeks economic and non-economic damages and alleges that the challenged practices continued even after Lee’s termination. We previously covered Lee’s claims in November, when she filed a tort claim alleging she was retaliated against for reporting misconduct, sexism, and drinking on duty. That earlier coverage is available here. The case is pending in King County Superior Court.
