Opinion ID: 2463751
Heading Depth: 5
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Highly offensive

Text: ¶ 25 Appellants argue that production of Officer Cain's identity in connection with the unsubstantiated accusation of sexual misconduct is not highly offensive to a reasonable person. [T]he offensive nature of disclosure does not vary depending on whether the allegation is substantiated or unsubstantiated, but is implicit in the nature of an allegation of sexual misconduct. Bellevue John Does, 164 Wash.2d at 216 n. 18, 189 P.3d 139. In Bellevue John Does, we held that it was highly offensive to reveal a teacher's identity in connection with an accusation of sexual misconduct. Id. at 216, 189 P.3d 139. For the purposes of determining whether the production is highly offensive, there is no reason to distinguish an allegation of sexual misconduct against a police officer from an allegation of sexual misconduct against a teacher. We hold that revealing Officer Cain's identity in connection with Koenig's unsubstantiated allegation of sexual misconduct is highly offensive to a reasonable person.