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WOOD RIVER A former employee of the Wood River Township Assessors Office has filed suit, claiming the assessor fired her because she protested a policy of buying or selling tickets to a Democratic fundraiser.

Sheena Howard named Assessor Sandy Shaw, a Democrat, claiming Shaw convened a meeting of her employees and told them that they were expected to sell a certain number of tickets or to buy at least two.

Plaintiff reasonably believed that it was illegal for defendant Shaw to require or otherwise instruct public employees to engage in political activity while working, including, but not limited to, the sale of fundraiser tickets.

On March 30, 2017, during an office meeting, plaintiff expressed her opposition to the practice of requiring, requesting or demanding that public employees sell tickets to fundraisers, the suit claims.

Howard then went to see Township Supervisor Mike Babcock, a Republican, and informed him of the allegedly illegal activities, the suit claims.

Shaw then allegedly put a note in Howards file, noting that Howard had met with Babcock, according to the complaint.

On April 26 and May 18, Howard was warned of excessive time off for sick days. Howard claims she took no more days off than were allotted to her.

Howard was terminated on June 1 for excessive days off and other disciplinary actions, the suit claims. Howard claims she was paid for nine hours unused sick pay.

She claims that she was perceived as a Republican at worst, or not a Democrat at best and terminated based on her perceived political affiliation. The claim that she took excessive days off was patently false, the suit claims. The stated reasons were merely a pretext, Howard claims.

Defendant Shaw terminated plaintiff in retaliation for plaintiffs speaking to Mike Babcock and to the general public about the matter of a public interest in violation of the First Amendment of the United States Constitution, the suit claims.

She is asking for at least $50,000 in damages. Howard is represented Keith Short and Jack Daugherty of Collinsville.

Reached by phone Tuesday evening, Shaw declined comment.

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Reach reporter Sanford Schmidt at 618-208-6449.

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Wood River Township Assessor sued for allegedly targeting 'Republican' employee - Alton Telegraph