Cannon ordered to pay fees in ex-worker's suit

U.S. Rep. Chris Cannon has been ordered to pay more than $10,000 in legal fees and interest incurred by a former staff member who filed a sexual-harassment lawsuit against his former chief of staff.

The ruling this past week to pay the fees came in addition to a settlement of $10,000 in damages awarded after the case was heard in court.

The lawsuit was filed by Crelley Mackey, who had been Cannon's Salt Lake County field coordinator. The judge noted that Cannon had a duty to supervise employees, according to court documents.

Mackey claimed Charles Warren, Cannon's former chief of staff, had pressured her into a lengthy sexual relationship that started when they were both employed at Cannon Industries. The relationship, she stated in court documents, continued through their responsibilities as campaign aides for Cannon's first election in 1996, and then while they were members of his congressional staff.

When the lawsuit was settled, Cannon told the Salt Lake Tribune that neither taxpayers nor himself had "paid a nickel" to settle her claim, but he did not say how it was settled.

Mackey sued again in 1998, alleging that his remarks to the Tribune violated the terms of a 1996 confidential settlement in the woman's sexual harassment lawsuit against Cannon's office.

Her second lawsuit said Cannon's remarks to the newspaper invaded her privacy, breached confidentiality and defamed her. She sought reimbursement of attorney fees paid in the original sexual-harassment lawsuit, in addition to the amount she already received in damages.

Third District Court Judge Robert K. Hilder reviewed the previous hearings, during which Cannon testified, and decided that Cannon had not cooperated when he was asked if he had discussed the case with the newspaper.

Cannon was ordered to pay $9,618 in legal fees to Mackey, plus an additional $2,553 in interest.

Mackey's attorney, Roger Hoole, told the Associated Press that she was vindicated by the judge's order.

Cannon's spokesman, Charles Isom, referred calls for comment Friday to the congressman's attorney, who could not be immediately reached.

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Editor's note: Rep. Chris Cannon's brother, Joe Cannon, is a member of the Deseret Morning News board of directors and effective Jan. 1, will become the newspaper's editor.

Contributing: Associated Press

E-mail: wleonard@desnews.com