Employees’ lawsuit says Collin DA sexually harassed staffers, officials covered it up

A lawsuit filed Monday in federal court accuses Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis of sexually harassing and retaliating against female employees. The current and former employees said in the lawsuit Willis repeatedly made untoward comments, inappropriately touched and propositioned them. The 75-page lawsuit also alleges Willis’ right-hand man, First Assistant District Attorney Bill Wirskye, targeted female employees and fostered a toxic workplace. County officials — including County Judge Chris Hill and the four commissioners named in the suit — were complicit in covering up the systemic misconduct, the lawsuit alleges. The chief and deputy chief investigators, as well three former employees and a current prosecutor lodged the accusations against the county’s two highest-ranking prosecutors, top official and commissioners Darrell Hale, Susan Fletcher, Cheryl Williams and Duncan Webb.

They also filed complaints with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and Texas Workforce Commission, according to the lawsuit. The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages. Willis denied the allegations in a written statement, saying “they did not happen.” “The citizens of Collin County deserve better than these dishonest and politically motivated attacks that waste time and money,” he said in an email. His attorney, Rogge Dunn, said in a statement the allegations “are sour grapes by some disgruntled former and current employees who had performance issues.” Wirskye called the lawsuit “politically motivated and politically timed” in a statement, saying it was filed “by some very disgruntled and very troubled individuals.” “It is a shame all the good people who work in the Collin County District Attorney’s Office and our County Officials have to suffer through these untruthful personal attacks,” Wirskye said. “I can’t wait to get into court and clear my name.”