Former Employee Sues City Of Springdale
Last updated Tuesday, August 19, 2008 9:17 PM CDT in News
By Steve Caraway
The Morning News
SPRINGDALE - A former animal shelter employee filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the city, its officials and two fellow employees.
The lawsuit lists the city of Springdale; the Animal Service Department; Mayor Jerre Van Hoose; the city council; David Tritt, human services director; Sam Goade, public works director; Lindsey Droste, animal services manager; and employees Mitizi O'Dell and Amanda Cooper as defendants.
City Attorney Jeff Harper had no comment Tuesday, saying he had not yet received a copy of the lawsuit from the court. Van Hoose also declined to comment.
Linda Hamilton filed the suit Monday, claiming the defendants deprived her of equal protection and due process of the law, violated her rights under the Civil Rights Act, retaliated against her and conspired to violate her rights.
The city will be represented by Arkansas Municipal League attorneys in a Civil Rights lawsuit, Harper said, because the city is a member of the League's municipal defense fund.
Hamilton worked for animal services as an animal technician. She was suspended by Goade without pay in February for an alleged incident involving the euthanasia of a dog, according to the lawsuit.
Hamilton appealed the suspension to Van Hoose, who terminated her. Hamilton appealed to the City Council, who upheld the suspension but overturned the termination.
Hamilton took medical leave after the suspension and did not return to work, claiming in the lawsuit she gave a physician's note relating her illness to the city. Hamilton was terminated on June 30 for voluntary resignation/job abandonment, according to the lawsuit.
Hamilton is asking for general and punitive damages, attorney fees and a jury trial.
Reader Comments (4 comment(s))
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debiic wrote on Aug 21, 2008 6:50 PM:
It's a shame that the already financially strapped city has to go through this because the powers that be have the "ignore it and it will go away" syndrome. "
Not already registered?
troutjig wrote on Aug 21, 2008 9:17 AM: