Emergency suspension of social worker found in nude with minor client

June 26, 2008

On June 26, 2008 the Washington Department of Health (DOH) suspended social worker Thomas A. Gill on an emergency basis, having determined him to be “an immediate danger to the public health, safety or welfare.” The DOH’s Statement of Charges states that during a counseling relationship with a minor client, he was also assigned as the minor’s “respite provider.” The minor would spend weekends or overnights at Mr. Gill’s personal residence during these periods. On or about May 10, 2008 Mr. Gill was found nude in the bedroom of his private residence with the minor, who was fully clothed. In subsequent interviews with police and a deputy prosecuting attorney, the minor stated he spent a number of weekends at Gill’s house and that during some of these stays, Gill allegedly had the minor strip down naked, touched the minor’s penis, hot tubbed with the minor in the nude, watched the minor shower, engaged in nude massages with the minor and asked the minor to rub his own penis until it was erect while Gill watched. The DOH’s Order states, “[Gill’s] alleged conduct indicates he cannot be trusted with vulnerable clients, including children. Allowing access to emotionally vulnerable clients at this time presents a risk to the safety of those clients.”