Puyallup mayor in trouble for touching

A former Puyallup city council member has come forward saying the mayor touched her inappropriately during her two years on the job. She is the second woman to make such claims.

Nicole Martineau said Mayor Rick Hansen put his hands on her shoulders and shook her back and forth before a council meeting last year.

Martineau told KOMO TV she should have filed a complaint but decided on simply telling the city manager.

“I can’t remember what you were talking to me about,” she said. “All I remember is that it made me feel very uncomfortable.”

Martineau spoke before the city council meeting Tuesday night where the council was discussing another city worker’s complaints against the mayor. That woman claims Mayor Hansen touched her inappropriately on the hip and shoulder. The mayor told the gathering he’s learned his lesson.

“I chose to take an awareness class which makes clear it is inappropriate, even to make a point, to touch any city employee in any manner other than a handshake,” he said.

The council voted to admonish the mayor for his behavior.