Former Tacoma Official Sued City for Wrongful Termination
A longtime employee alleges he was laid off after reporting potential misuse of public funds at the city department.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Employment
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Joshua Knouff has filed a lawsuit against the City of Tacoma alleging he was fired in retaliation for whistleblowing on internal practices. Knouff claims management ignored reports regarding the misuse of public funds and questionable time-reporting procedures within the Environmental Services Department.
Why it matters
The legal action highlights serious allegations regarding municipal oversight and the treatment of employees who raise concerns about department management. It raises questions about how the city manages its workforce and whether reporting internal misconduct led to professional retaliation.
Joshua Knouff served the Tacoma Environmental Services Department for 25 years, including 7 years as a strategic planning manager. He alleges solid-waste drivers were paid for full shifts despite finishing early, creating potential waste of public funds.
The players
Joshua Knouff
He is a former strategic planning manager who worked for the Tacoma Environmental Services Department for nearly 25 years.
Ramiro Chavez
He is a director at the Tacoma Environmental Services Department who received a memorandum regarding alleged departmental misconduct.
City of Tacoma
This is the municipal government entity currently being sued in Pierce County Superior Court for alleged retaliatory employment actions.
The details
Knouff alleges that drivers were incentivized to drive recklessly to finish routes early while receiving full-shift compensation. He claims that after he reported these practices and poor vehicle maintenance to director Ramiro Chavez, he was forced to choose between a demoted role or immediate termination.
Timeline
In November 2025, Knouff submitted a memorandum to Ramiro Chavez detailing his concerns.
A formal complaint was filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Office in January 2026.
City officials notified Knouff his position was eliminated on February 11, 2026.
Knouff received official layoff paperwork from city HR on March 6, 2026.
The lawsuit was filed in Pierce County Superior Court on September 28, 2026.
Macro View
The lawsuit follows a pattern set by established whistleblower protections that seek to shield employees from retaliatory termination after reporting department malpractice.
The lawsuit underscores concerns regarding how city departments manage public resources and the potential impact of internal mismanagement on taxpayer-funded services. Residents may find that investigations into these allegations influence future oversight of departmental labor practices and budgets.
The takeaway
This case underscores the importance of transparent reporting channels within municipal governments to prevent the misuse of public funds. Employees should familiarize themselves with local whistleblower policies to understand their rights when reporting internal department concerns.
Further reading
For more information on local labor issues, visit the Employment section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Tacoma News Tribune.
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