This federal civil rights lawsuit, filed in the Western District of Washington, names the City of Lake Stevens and its police department as defendants in a wide-ranging complaint alleging systemic constitutional violations against Gina Bloom, a domestic violence and sexual assault survivor.
The complaint, brought under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, asserts that Lake Stevens police officers engaged in a pattern of misconduct—retaliating against Bloom for protected speech, mishandling rape and abuse investigations, and collaborating with court actors to undermine her custodial rights. Rather than serve the interests of justice or protect vulnerable parties, the police department allegedly became an active participant in suppressing Bloom’s voice and obstructing her access to legal remedies.
Among the most serious allegations is the department’s failure to respond appropriately to a 911 call made by Bloom’s 11-year-old son in March 2025, reporting threats from his father. Despite legal mandates, officers refused to interview the child or report the incident to Child Protective Services. This followed a broader pattern in which Bloom, despite being protected under multiple Domestic Violence Protection Orders (DVPOs), was treated as a suspect, not a victim.
The lawsuit also details the department’s mishandling of a 2020 rape allegation, in which officers delayed witness interviews, failed to preserve critical video evidence, and ultimately sabotaged the viability of the criminal case. These failures were compounded by alleged Brady violations: officers withheld exculpatory evidence, obstructed Bloom’s access to public records, and selectively released sensitive materials to third parties while denying her discovery rights.
The suit further alleges that Lake Stevens maintained a discriminatory culture in which women, especially mothers, who reported abuse were dismissed, discredited, or treated as adversaries. Meanwhile, abusers were allegedly shielded or supported, including through inappropriate legal coaching by police officers.
By filing this action, Bloom seeks to hold both the City and its officers accountable for violations of her First, Fourth, and Fourteenth Amendment rights. This case challenges not only individual misconduct but also the policies and institutional culture that enabled it, arguing that the City of Lake Stevens has fostered a dangerous environment for victims of gender-based violence.