CHARLESTON -- A former Parks and Recreation Department employee is suing the City of Nitro after she claims she was harassed by city council members.
Debra J. Jordan was manager for the Parks and Recreation Department for the City of Nitro until she resigned from her position on Jan. 20, according to a complaint filed June 1 in Kanawha Circuit Court.
Jordan claims she was a victim of workplace harassment by City Council members Dave Casebolt, Jim McKay and Bill Javins and City Treasurer John Young.
Due to the harassment, Jordan filed a written grievance with the Nitro Civil Service Commission on Dec. 28, 2010, according to the suit, and in the grievance, Jordan stated she suffered harassment, false accusation and that the City of Nitro owed her money.
Jordan claims neither the City of Nitro nor the Nitro Civil Service Commission responded to the grievance in any manner and the workplace harassment continued with Casebolt and McKay continually accusing her of stealing from the City.
Due to the workplace harassment, Jordan has sought and received medical treatment, according to the suit.
Jordan claims despite her medical issues, Casebolt, McKay, Javins and Young continued the harassment.
The harassment became so bad that City Attorney Richie Robb told Jordan that he feared that someone may get hurt and, not wanting to wait and see if his "dire prophecy may come true," Jordan resigned from her position, according to the suit.
Jordan claims the defendant's conduct was extreme and outrageous and constituted a constructive discharge under West Virginia common law.
The defendant's actions were considered willful conduct of the City of Nitro's officials, according to the suit.
Jordan is seeking compensatory and punitive damages with pre-judgment interest. She is being represented by John F. Dascoli.
The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge James C. Stucky.
Kanawha Circuit Court case number: 12-C-1010
