Detectives Allege Sexual Harassment in Seattle PD Sex Crimes Unit

Three female detectives are suing over years of verbal abuse and degrading comments

Three female King County Sheriff's detectives seek up to $9 million in damages from King County, alleging they were subjected to years of sexual harassment by male supervisors in the unit that investigates sex crimes.

The detectives—Marylisa Priebe-Olson, Janette Luitgaarden and Belinda Ferguson —  filed claims on Aug. 21, alleging they endured years of verbal abuse, degrading comments and threats of retaliation if they spoke out. They accuse three current and former supervisors in the Sexual Assault Unit, including Tony Provenzo, Paul Mahlum and Dave Jutilla.