Congressional candidate Stan Flemming, a Pierce County councilman, touts numerous public and civic accomplishments to underline his leadership skills. They include his tenure from 2007 to 2009 as president of the Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences, a medical school in Yakima.

However, Flemming doesnt mention that his stint ended in a flurry of lawsuits and acrimony.

Court records tell two stories of Flemmings term as president. Both revolve around money.

Version A:

In 2007, Flemming reluctantly takes charge of Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences, a new nonprofit college built on shaky financial footing and a dubious business model.

Flemming steers the place to long-term viability. He departs in November 2009 after local powers usurp his authority, offend his ethics and violate his contract. He sues the university for his severance pay: $708,000.

Version B:

University leaders sue Flemming, saying he doesnt deserve his severance pay. They contend he verbally resigned his position on Nov. 10, 2009, after a period of escalating misconduct, fiduciary and contractual breaches that would have otherwise led to his termination.

The stories ended at the same moment in May 2010: a settlement agreement with strict confidentiality provisions, noted at the end of the case file in Yakima County Superior Court.

Attorneys for both sides say they cant discuss terms of the settlement. Flemming says he never resigned. He says the university agreed to pay him in full, 100 percent.

Continue reading here:
Pierce candidate's presidency at medical school ended in lawsuits