Another former Lee County employee is suing the county over whistleblower protections.
Diana VerDught worked 16 years as an administrative assistant with the Lee County Conservation Board.
In a lawsuit filed in district court, VerDught said she left early this year because of what she considered intolerable working conditions.
She said they were caused by her decision to tell county leaders and law enforcement officers about various violations by county employees. The violations included plagiarism, mismanagement, abuse of funds and authority and endangering public health and safety.
VerDught is seeking past, present and future lost wages plus attorney fees. She also wants her former job back with full seniority.
She’s asked for a jury trial.
VerDught is the second former Lee County employee to seek whistleblower protection in recent years.
The other is former Maintenance Director Rick Carter.
A jury awarded him more than 180-thousand dollars last year. The judge in the case reversed that ruling, though, and sided with the county, which Carter is appealing.
