The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has investigated the allegations and found "reasonable cause" to believe there was a violation of federal law.

The female employee sent notice to the county in July, saying she will sue for damages because of purported physical and verbal harassment by former Chief Deputy Clerk P. Nick Floros, who retired Jan. 31 amid a county investigation. The woman had a past relationship with Floros, but her attorney says it ended before she was hired in the clerk's office.

Republican officials said Tuesday that there was a striking difference between how Democratic District Attorney David Yocom handled the investigation into Floros, a fellow party member, and that of County Mayor Nancy Workman, a Republican whom the DA charged with two felonies for alleged misuse of public money. At least one County Council member wants to hire an independent attorney to look into the matter.

Floros said Tuesday that the allegations are "ludicrous" and "ridiculous," but he declined further comment until he talked with his attorney, Phil Dyer. Dyer did not return calls for comment.

The woman, who worked for the clerk's office for more than three years, says through her attorney that Floros simulated sexual acts, requested sex, and at one point, touched her breasts while in the office. Her attorney, Ralph Chamness, says in the notice that the county knew Floros had "engaged in similar behavior

at least one other female employee, but continued to employ him.

Chamness has not filed suit against the county, but says in the July 14 notice that he would take action if his client was not compensated for emotional and job-related distress. He declined to say in an interview how much money he would seek, but noted that "no monetary amount will make her whole" again.

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission issued a two-page letter July 30, saying that the federal agency found that "reasonable cause exists" to believe that Floros discriminated against the employee by sexually harassing her, and when the employee rejected the advances, Floros "retaliated" against her and at least one other employee who also rejected sexual advances.

The other employee mentioned in the EEOC letter - a copy of which was obtained by The Salt Lake Tribune - refers to an incident in 1987 in which Floros allegedly had a relationship with another female subordinate. The federal agency says that when that relationship ended, Floros "began harsh management tactics against her."

The county, according to the EEOC letter, has admitted the sexual harassment "more than likely occurred," but the county maintains that it took prompt action to end the harassment.

The Tribune reported Jan. 17 that Floros was retiring amid an investigation into office misconduct.

Yocom's office would not comment on the case at the time, but two former Floros employees said then that they had been interviewed by attorneys about "sexual harassment." An outside law firm completed a report Feb. 4 on the allegations, but the district attorney and mayor's offices say the document is protected under personnel policies and have declined to release it.

Republican Councilman Russell Skousen says the Floros investigation is "extremely troubling" when compared with that of Workman.

"It's hard to look at both situations and come up with a justifiable explanation as to the difference in how they were handled," Skousen said. "I'm open to hearing that explanation."

Skousen, an attorney himself, added that he may push to hire an outside legal counsel to look into the Floros case. "Here you have someone making claims [and] if the claims are true would constitute a serious misdemeanor and a felony."

Workman's campaign declined comment.

Yocom - whom Workman and other Republicans have accused of being politically motivated in investigating the mayor - says he recused himself from Floros' case when it reached his office. "I had no decision-making authority for it," Yocom said.

The district attorney handed the probe to John P. Soltis, the district attorney's litigation division chief, who then hired a legal firm that specializes in employment law. The firm completed its report, and Soltis says, "Salt Lake County policy was followed to the full extent."

He added that "there is no cover-up associated with criminal charges."

County Democratic Chairwoman Nichole Adams defended Yocom, saying that he handled the case according to policy. She said Republicans are making a "Hail Mary pass" in the runup to the election to distract from Workman's criminal case.

"It's just another way to deflect from what's going on," Adams said.

In another twist, nearly two months after Floros retired, Democratic Clerk Sherrie Swensen appointed Yocom's son, Jason, to replace Floros as chief deputy. Swensen says there was no connection between the hiring and the Floros case and is "appalled" at any such accusation.

"It had nothing to do with it," Swensen said. "Jason Yocom had the experience and a master's degree."

tburr@sltrib.com