Former prosecutor, Army major tells Arapahoe County commissioners she alleges USERRA and workplace retaliation at DA's office

Monique Washington, who identified herself during public comment as a prosecutor and a major in the U.S. Army, told the Arapahoe County Board on March 11 that the Arapahoe County District Attorney’s office violated her rights under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA). She asked commissioners to take note and said she had pursued internal channels without resolution.

Washington said she has worked in the 18th Judicial District since 2011 and that the Department of Labor issued a ruling in July 2024 informing the DA’s office it had violated her rights as a service member. She said the office has repeatedly denied promotions and wage increases she said she should have received and that she faces an annual income loss she estimated as more than $50,000 compared with her cohort. Washington named specific individuals in the office whom she said were involved in decisions, including Julie Lanier (a human resources director), former District Attorney John Kellner and former assistant district attorney Tom Burns.

Washington said she had attempted to address the matter through proper channels and that she raised the issue publicly because she had not been allowed to fully present her concerns through those channels. The board chair told Washington the public comment timer had ended, provided her an additional 30 seconds, and offered to have staff follow up if she left contact information. Commissioners did not respond substantively during the meeting.

No formal action or investigation was initiated by the board during the session; staff offered to meet Washington at the door or follow up by email. Washington prefaced her remarks by saying her statements were on her own behalf and not on behalf of any employer or organization.