PORT ORCHARD — Kitsap County’s top public defender who resigned in April left the job after the county administrator said she wanted to fire him.
The Kitsap Sun reported that county officials found Clarke Tibbits violated policy by engaging in a romantic relationship with another employee on county property.
Tibbits told the newspaper he regrets using county facilities for personal reasons but doesn’t believe the allegations undermined his work. He says he took pride in representing people who couldn’t afford a lawyer.
County officials investigated after a man filed a $15,000 claim saying he was offended by watching Tibbits and his girlfriend, a jail employee, kissing in Tibbits’ office. The man claimed to have suffered depression and other problems as a result. The county denied his claim.
Documents show Tibbits denied the conduct took place when initially questioned by county officials. County Administrator Karen Goon wrote she was disappointed in his behavior.
A Port Orchard police investigation found no crime was committed.
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