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Washington Sex Offender Therapist Fired for Sex Related Misconduct
Thomas Smith is again in hot water over his seemingly endless sexoriented misconduct. On February 12, 2002 he was fired from his therapist position at the Special Commitment Center (SCC) on McNeil Island near Steilacoom, Washington. He had "treated" civilly committed sex predators imprisoned at the SCC since 1999. Smith was fired for counseling sex offenders to deal with their sexual urges by visiting prostitutes, and for using his work computer to visit an escort service Web site.
In April 2001, Smith was formally reprimanded after several female coworkers at the SCC complained about his constant lewd remarks at work. Smith's reprimand, however, was accompanied by a job promotion. [ PLN , Nov. 2001, "Washington's Island Of Deviant Doctors."] Although difficult to fathom, one can only conclude that the job promotion simply didn't send a stern enough message, considering the reasons for Smith's termination.
The Washington State Patrol investigated Smith between April 9, and August 6, 2001. That investigation revealed that Smith had used his work computer to visit websites thatdisplay partially nude females 57 times between those dates. Also, about 85% of Smith's emails on his computer during that time were personal rather than work related.
Smith's letter of dismissal from the Department of Social and Health Services said that advising sex offenders to visit prostitutes "was not only illegal but also contrary to the treatment goals ... of the SCC." Smith denied advising sex offenders to visit prostitutes. He also said his misuse of the computer "was really kind of minor" and that "they just made a big deal out of it."
SCC Superintendent Mark Seling commented that "once you add it up, there wasn't any doubt he should be terminated." Smith claimed his termination was effected to appease the "female coworkers who accused him of sexual harassment" in 2001. He said he will appeal his dismissal.
Source: Tacoma News Tribune
In April 2001, Smith was formally reprimanded after several female coworkers at the SCC complained about his constant lewd remarks at work. Smith's reprimand, however, was accompanied by a job promotion. [ PLN , Nov. 2001, "Washington's Island Of Deviant Doctors."] Although difficult to fathom, one can only conclude that the job promotion simply didn't send a stern enough message, considering the reasons for Smith's termination.
The Washington State Patrol investigated Smith between April 9, and August 6, 2001. That investigation revealed that Smith had used his work computer to visit websites thatdisplay partially nude females 57 times between those dates. Also, about 85% of Smith's emails on his computer during that time were personal rather than work related.
Smith's letter of dismissal from the Department of Social and Health Services said that advising sex offenders to visit prostitutes "was not only illegal but also contrary to the treatment goals ... of the SCC." Smith denied advising sex offenders to visit prostitutes. He also said his misuse of the computer "was really kind of minor" and that "they just made a big deal out of it."
SCC Superintendent Mark Seling commented that "once you add it up, there wasn't any doubt he should be terminated." Smith claimed his termination was effected to appease the "female coworkers who accused him of sexual harassment" in 2001. He said he will appeal his dismissal.
Source: Tacoma News Tribune
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