City fires another Employee hired by ex City Manager
SUNNYSIDE, WA – Another City of Sunnyside employee has been terminated — the second senior management hire of former City Manager Mike Gonzalez and the third city worker let go in less than a month.
Human Resources Manager Irving Brown Sr. said he had just started working on Monday morning when he was informed he had been fired.
Brown’s attorney, Ben York, said the City of Sunnyside’s newly hired finance director delivered the news of Brown’s termination. On August 27, Finance Director Kelly Koskie — also hired by Gonzalez — was fired. On September 8, City Manager Mike Gonzalez himself was let go.
The three firings form what many see as a clear pattern of eliminating Gonzalez’s leadership team, raising questions about political motives and retaliation at City Hall. The VOS has talked with several employees inside the City of Sunnyside who want to remain anonymous who say they fear for their job also because of their ties to the Gonzalez administration.
York told Apple Valley News Now that none of the recent firings are coincidental.
“Clear retaliation for seeking protection from a city, certain city council member, Theresa Hancock, and her ongoing targeted harassment, unlawful conduct that has contributed to substantial physical and emotional distress for not just Mr. Brown, but also Miss Koskie, Mr. Gonzalez as well, who have also been improperly terminated by the city,” York said.
Hancock disputes York’s assessment. She said she did not harass Brown or Gonzalez and has nothing to do with Brown’s or Gonzalez’ firing. Hancock took to social media to defend herself on Apple Valley’s Facebook page. However, most people weren’t buying Hancock playing the victim role. Most called for her removal and called out the chaos that has ensued since she was appointed.
The Voice of Sunnyside has also obtained several documents that show why Mike Gonzalez felt he was targeted by Hancock. We will be revealing those in a future story. We reached out to Mike Gonzalez for comment on Hancock’s social media posts. “I can’t really speak to her motivations. The chaos and that’s happening currently at the city is what hurts my heart for the residents. I pray for the resident every day,” said Gonzalez.
York is also representing Koskie, the former finance director, who he said was wrongfully terminated. He said Koskie faced retaliation for supporting Brown in his workplace harassment claims.
“She wasn’t properly terminated—that much is clear. For supporting Mr. Brown, she submitted a declaration in support of Irving Brown’s matter against Miss Hancock,” York said.
Back in June 2025, Brown sought a protection order against Hancock after claiming he was subjected to workplace harassment and racism. At the same time, Hancock considered filing her own protection order against Brown, accusing him of speaking about her during a staff meeting. From that point forward, Hancock refused to sit with the rest of the council during meetings, instead isolating herself in a side room and joining virtually. During these meetings, Brown was also absent from the chambers.
Earlier this month, a Yakima judge denied Brown’s request for a protection order. Brown said he then turned to his workplace for protection from what he described as a “hostile” environment. Instead, York said, the city turned against him.
“So instead of investigating, appreciating, or providing any response or protection, the city initiated a sham investigation into Mr. Brown to be performed by the recently hired director of finance who does not appear to have any investigative experience for the city,” York said.
“The results of the sham investigation show how deeply flawed this investigation into Mr. Brown was. The city’s continued vilification of hard-working city employees subjected to harassment and a toxic work environment under this current city council has to stop,” said York.
York said Brown’s termination was a “sad day for justice and equality,” adding that Brown is heartbroken to no longer serve a community he loved.
