2 More Women Accuse Lubbock County Judge Curtis Parrish of Sexual Misconduct; He Calls Allegations False

2 More Women Accuse Lubbock County Judge Curtis Parrish of Sexual Misconduct; He Calls Allegations False

Lubbock County Judge Curtis Parrish denied sexual misconduct allegations after 2 additional women shared their accounts with Lubbock Report, joining an earlier accusation from Precinct 3 Justice of the Peace Susan Rowley.

An October 20 report by James Clark detailed allegations from a former employee in Parrish’s county office and a woman who knew him through business connections. Both requested anonymity.

“These allegations are preposterous and I will not comment on these false allegations,” Parrish told Lubbock Report. “This is the first I’m hearing of any of these false allegations.”

The publication identified the anonymous women using the names “Jaylyn” and “Valerie,” which were substituted to protect their identities.

The former employee alleged that Parrish engaged in prolonged, unwanted hugs, pressed his face against her breasts and made inappropriate sexual comments during workplace conversations.

The woman with business connections alleged that Parrish attempted to kiss her on the mouth. According to Lubbock Report, the women described similarities in their experiences, including unwanted contact and efforts to speak with them alone.

The former employee said she began working for the county in 2014 and transferred to the county judge’s office in 2017, before Parrish took office in January 2019. She described a relationship of trust that extended beyond work, including attending church and sharing meals with his family.

“It was someone that I really genuinely thought that I could trust,” she told the publication.

She also described an out of town work trip that she believed was to Galveston. She said Parrish’s wife usually accompanied him on county business but did not attend that trip. The former employee specifically said Parrish paid his wife’s travel expenses personally, not with county funds.

Her account also raised concerns about her eventual termination and whether she had a safe way to report workplace problems.

“Do I have a safe place to go and talk to and report problems?” she asked in the interview.

An important distinction in the report concerns what she told Human Resources. Although she said she approached HR verbally, she clarified that her concerns involved an inquiry conducted by Parrish’s wife and her termination, not a sexual harassment complaint.

She said privacy concerns and doubts about HR’s ability to address conduct involving an elected official contributed to her reluctance to report the alleged harassment.

According to Lubbock Report, Rowley had not filed an incident report with police or the Sheriff’s Department, or a written complaint with county HR. She said she was considering formal reporting options through judicial oversight or State Bar channels.

The woman with business connections also had not filed a written complaint, the publication reported.

Lubbock Report said county HR Director Melanie Hall declined to answer its questions and directed the publication to the county’s Civil Division and the open records process. The publication reported leaving a message with a Civil Division attorney.

The report also cited the county employee handbook, which states that the county maintains a workplace free from discrimination, unlawful harassment, intimidation and coercion. It describes potential disciplinary consequences for employees who violate its harassment policy.

The806er has not independently verified the allegations, employment history or HR interactions described in the report. The information provided does not establish that criminal charges have been filed or that an official investigation has reached findings. Parrish denies the allegations.

This article summarizes reporting by James Clark of Lubbock Report.

Community reporting presented by System X Technologies.