Former Huntington official sues city over firing, defamation

HUNTINGTON - The former interim director of the Huntington Municipal Parking Board has filed a suit against the City of Huntington after she was arrested and charged with embezzlement.

Linda Hamilton filed a suit July 2 in Cabell Circuit Court against the city, Mayor David Felinton, the Huntington Municipal Parking Board and Johnette Nelson, the coordinating director.

The criminal case against Hamilton was dismissed in November 2005, but Hamilton claims she was wrongfully terminated and her character was defamed.

According to the lawsuit, filed by attorney R. Stephen Jarrell, Hamilton was named the interim director the parking board Dec. 1, 2004.

In March 2005, Hamilton claims she let the mayor know she wanted to be considered for coordinating director. However, Felinton called her and informed her the board decided to hire Nelson instead.

Hamilton claims Felinton could not tell her Nelson's qualification, and that Nelson filed an application after she had been chosen for the position.

In months after, Hamilton found deposits were missing from bank statements, even though she had copies of the deposit tickets. In June 2005, a special board meeting was called, to discuss personnel matter and the money.

Hamilton claims in the suit that Nelson said the board did not was Hamilton included in the meeting.

On July 11, 2005, Hamilton was given a letter suspending her without pay, pending an investigation into three counts of money discrepancy from July 3-6, 2005. According to the suit, Hamilton was also accused of altering vacation and sick time records.

According to the suit, Hamilton was arrested and taken to Magistrate Mike Woelfel, where she was charged with embezzlement. The charges were dropped in November 2005.

Hamilton claims her reputation has been damaged and libelous comments were made about her in the newspaper and court records.

Through her attorney, Hamilton seeks to have the defendants duly cited and to have judgment against them, with interest, and any other relief to which she is entitled.

The case has been assigned to Judge John L. Cummings.

Cabell Circuit Court case number 07-C-552