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Casa Latina leaders won't return after sexual harassment complaints

A sign outside Casa Latina in June called for firing Marcos Martinez and Araceli Hernandez.
Lilly Ana Fowler
/
KNKX
A sign outside Casa Latina in June called for firing Marcos Martinez and Araceli Hernandez.

Two directors won’t be returning to the prominent nonprofit organization Casa Latina in Seattle after the mishandling of sexual harassment complaints.

Casa Latina Board President Pilar Pacheco announced executive director Marcos Martinez's departure in an email to members and supporters earlier this week.

Martinez was initially put on administrative leave after allegations that he had mishandled sexual harassment complaints.

Araceli Hernandez, another director put on leave after sexual harrassment complaints surfaced, will also not be returning to the organization, according to a text message sent to workers.

Casa Latina declined to comment when asked about Hernandez and Martinez.

Casa Latina staffer Lucina Carrillo says she was groped at work, complained but that leadership failed to do anything for her.

Eventually, Carrillo and other workers staged a hunger strikein protest of leadership’s inaction.

An independent investigation found that Casa Latina leaders, such as Martinez and Hernandez, should have done more to protect Carrillo and other workers.

Updated Friday, August 6th at 8:49 p.m.

Lilly Ana Fowler covers social justice issues investigating inequality with an emphasis on labor and immigration. Story tips can be sent to lfowler@knkx.org.