KHQ Right Now - News and Weather for Spokane and North Idaho | Federal lawsuit alleging Geiger guard raped inmate

Federal lawsuit alleging Geiger guard raped inmate

Posted:

SPOKANE, Wash. - A onetime Geiger inmate has filed a lawsuit against a former Geiger corrections officer and Spokane County alleging the guard in question raped her while she was serving her sentence.

The lawsuit, filed by a former female inmate alleges that Bernard Baumgardner violated her Fourth Amendment Rights, among others, by depriving her of her right to be free from unreasonable interference and a liberty interest in bodily integrity.

The lawsuit states that the alleged rape and assault took place in October 2005. At this time, the woman was a county inmate under the care and custody of Spokane County. The defendant, former corrections officer Baumgardner, was assigned to protect female inmates.

Court documents state Baumgardner began to approach the woman in October and ultimately befriended her. Documents say Baumgardner gave the woman special attention, telling her he found her attractive.

While on duty, Baumgardner is alleged to have talked the woman into going into a supply room with him. There, Baumgardner offered contraband in exchange for sex, an offer that the woman says she refused.

According to the lawsuit, Baumgardner later brought the woman to the storeroom once again, this time demanding sexual acts. Scared of the repercussions of denying the demand, the woman complied. On another occasion, Baumgardner again took the woman to the supply room and on this occurrence, made the woman perform sexual acts by force. Baumgardner warned the woman that if she reported his acts, he would make her life very difficult. Court documents go on to state that the woman only had a short time left on her sentence and did not want to jeopardize her release.

The documents state officials at Geiger were   alerted to Baumgardner's actions, however no investigation took place and Baumgardner was not placed on leave.

The lawsuit alleges Spokane County either intentionally or negligently failed to take actions to protect the woman or to prevent the acts from occurring.

The lawsuit states that the woman is seeking to be awarded monetary damages including lost wages, lost business opportunities, counseling and health costs. Also included are non-economic damages for pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life and damages related to her physical and mental injuries. For a complete list of awards sought, click on the court documents link to the side of the story.