WHATCOM COUNTY, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – A county-appointed panel has been chosen to investigate the handling of a sexual harassment case involving former Public Works Director John Hutchings.

The Whatcom County Council approved the members of the panel at their Meeting of the Whole on Tuesday, May 8.

Councilmembers Todd Donovan, Ben Elenbaas and Chairman Barry Buchanan were chosen to form the investigative committee. These three councilmembers will look into reasons why the county council wasn’t informed of the sexual harassment claims made by three women against former Public Works Director John Hutchings.

The county ended up paying one of the victims $225,000 without notifying councilmembers.

County Executive Satpal Sidhu has apologized for his handling of the incident, which included signing a letter of introduction for Hutchings’ current role as Lynden’s Public Works Director.