MOSES LAKE — Eight months after the city of Moses Lake acknowledged that tort claims had been filed by three women alleging sexual harassment and abuse by top city officials, attorney Corbin Earl says some claims have gone to mediation and more have been added.

In total, eight claims have been filed against the city, according to Earl Law Group, which said it represents seven of the claimants. Of those claims, two have gone into mediation, with one being settled, said Earl. Former assistant planner Billi Jo Munoz has since filed a lawsuit in Grant County Superior Court against the city, and Earl indicated it was likely that two or three more suits would be filed within the next month.

City Attorney Katherine Kenison said Wednesday that further mediation may take place in the future for a couple of the claims, but likely not until April.

The women who made the claims, current and former employees of the city, alleged a culture of sex discrimination and harassment perpetrated primarily by former Deputy City Manager and Community Development Director Gilbert Alvarado and encouraged or at least unmitigated by City Manager John Williams.

In an article published May 23, the Herald reported in detail on the first three such cases filed.

Alvarado quietly resigned from his position days before the allegations were made public, and Williams followed suit in the ensuing months after having been placed on administrative leave.

Kenison has stated that a review of complaints by current and former employees would be considered a “work product” and shielded from public disclosure.

Emry Dinman can be reached via email at edinman@columbiabasinherald.com.