SUNNYSIDE, Wash. —
Sunnyside City Manager Mike Gonzalez has filed a tort claim alleging harassment, defamation, and retaliation by Councilwoman Theresa Hancock, accusing her of a campaign to remove him from office shortly after her appointment to the City Council in March 2025.
Gonzalez, who previously served as Pasco’s economic development manager, contends that Hancock began searching for incriminating information against him almost immediately after she returned to the council. The claim, filed August 6, alleges she scoured his expense reports, monitored his use of a city vehicle, and made false accusations about his conduct during official travel — later proven to involve another council member.
Mike Gonzalez tells La Voz the only thing he wants is his job back. “The only thing I want is to work for the residents of Sunnyside again. I love the community. I have the support of the residents. I’m ready to work again,” said Gonzalez.
Gonzalez’s lawyer, Zach Hummer, also asserts that Mayor Dean Broersma had already contacted a firm to find Gonzalez’s replacement before the council formally discussed placing him on administrative leave, raising “concerns about pretext and procedural irregularity.”
According to Gonzalez, Hancock filed more than 60 public records requests targeting him between April and May, forcing city hall to close for a day on May 16 so staff could process them. The claim further alleges she photographed his city vehicle, attempted to arrange meetings with former colleagues to uncover negative information, and contacted Pasco City Councilman Leo Perales — who did not serve during Gonzalez’s tenure in Pasco.
The filing also accuses Hancock of repeatedly referring to Gonzalez by his maternal last name, Cronemeyer, which he says is an attempt to “dissociate him from his Hispanic heritage” and undermine his credibility as a Latino public official.
Gonzalez filed a workplace harassment complaint against Hancock on May 11, weeks before the council voted — in a split decision — to place him on paid, non-disciplinary administrative leave. Around the same time, Human Resources Director Irving Brown Sr., whom Gonzalez hired, sought a protection order against Hancock, alleging harassment and racism.
The tort claim alleges that the actions of Hancock and others “under color of official authority” were retaliatory, in response to Gonzalez’s protected activity, including filing a workplace complaint and advocating on personnel and transparency issues.
The filing does not specify a dollar amount in damages. However attorney Zach Hummer says if the demands aren’t met Gonzalez is prepared to go to trial in the future.
