Jury finds Port of Seattle wrongfully fired employees who claimed retaliation from commissioner

A King County jury found Thursday that the Port of Seattle wrongfully terminated two employees, who alleged they were ousted for refusing to extend leases of airport businesses favored by a Port commissioner.

Deanna Zachrisson and Elaine Lincoln claimed that Commissioner John Creighton retaliated against them for opposing the lease concessions to some of his major campaign donors.

“Employers must not fire employees for refusing to break the law or reporting misconduct,” Beth Bloom, an attorney representing the plaintiffs, said in a statement. The jury will begin assessing damages on Monday, she added.