The wife of the Monroe County coroner says the county office is functioning "better than ever," despite two lawsuits by staffers.

Traci Allen was reached for comment at her office after news broke this week that the Monroe County District Attorney's office is investigating allegations in the office, in the wake of two lawsuits filed by deputy coroners.E. David Christine Jr. issued a statement Tuesday, saying the investigation "is ongoing and predates the filing of lawsuits by past and present employees of the office."The lawsuits name Monroe County, Coroner Bob Allen, and his wife, Kathleen "Traci" Allen, who serves as a deputy coroner.On Aug. 24, former deputy coroner Lauren Fizz filed a lawsuit in federal court, alleging that she was wrongfully terminated from her position and is seeking damages.Following on the heels of Fizz's complaint is another suit filed in the Monroe County Court of Common Pleas by Michael Sak.Sak is still currently listed as being in the employ of the coroner's office as Chief Deputy Coroner.Sak's complaint, filed on Sept. 8, alleges that he suffered retaliation for reporting unethical behavior and other improper behavior on the part of Bob and Traci Allen.Both complaints were filed by attorneys David Deratzian and Rebecca Mitchell of Hahalis and Kounoupis of Bethlehem.Traci Allen is alleged to have taken over the duties of coroner and to have moved into her husband's office.In her suit, Fizz says that Traci Allen created a "sexually hostile" work environment, openly discussing her marital infidelities and marital difficulties, displaying photographs of male genitalia, and boasting about leaving work for a sexual liaison in the woods.Fizz also claims that Traci Allen took personal property and medication from the recently deceased, rather than following established protocol for handling property and medication.She further alleged that Traci Allen is having an affair with a deputy coroner and said that deputy wanted her terminated and that same deputy coroner made false accusations of Fizz having a sexual encounter with a police officer at the death scene.Fizz claims that the accusation resulted in her being suspended without pay, and that she later found out that Traci Allen had been intercepting and retaining her paychecks.Sak's complaint alleges that Traci Allen made sexual advances toward him in February of 2016 and again in July of this year.He says he was compelled to reveal Traci Allen's behavior to her husband after she made a scene in the office and allegedly demanded that Sak be fired.Sak also alleged that in retaliation for his reporting the misconduct of Robert and Traci Allen to the County Department of Human Resources, he was accused of failing to follow proper protocols during an autopsy.Bob Allen did not return messages left at his office and on his cellphone.Traci Allen, reached for comment at her office, said the current atmosphere is "wonderful.""Better than ever, very smooth as a matter of fact. We are short staffed, what with Lizz's termination and Michael out on FMLA, but it is running smooth," she said."We always had overtime, so now we just have a bit more to make up the difference. We are much more lean and efficient," Allen said.Sak and his attorney did not return calls for comment. The Monroe County Human Resources Office did not return inquiries about Sak's employment status.Asked about Fizz's suit during a recent meeting, county Commissioner Charles Garris refused to comment since the matter was the subject of a lawsuit and involved a personnel matter.In the past, the commissioners would not comment on issues related to the coroner's office since the coroner is an elected position.The position of coroner in Monroe County is an elected one and as such under the County Code is not bound by the same agreements between the county and its employees or unions.The complaints allege that because of the County Code, the County Human Resources Office was powerless to remedy the situation that evolved in the coroner's office.Christine's statement reports that "no finding of wrong doing has been made to date."Bob Allen, who has been coroner for more than 25 years, is seeking re-election in November.He served as coroner for more than 20 years from 1978 to 1998. He was reappointed by Gov. Tom Corbett in 2011, and won reelection in 2013.He is opposed in November by Thomas A. Yanac Jr.