ST. LOUIS - A former St. Louis municipal employee is suing the city for wrongful termination following her dismissal in February 2021 after approximately 23 years working for the city, the second time she alleges to have been wrongfully terminated by the city.
The suit was filed by attorney Lynette Petruska on behalf of plaintiff Angelica Woods in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, according to court documents.
The suit alleges that Woods was previously terminated from employment with the city’s Division of Corrections following a line-of-duty injury, but was reinstated by the Civil Service Commission. Woods was then reassigned to the Towing Service Division as a clerk typist in April 2020.
It is also alleged that Woods found herself in the midst of questionable conduct and behaviors at the tow lot, and was encouraged to participate, but chose instead to report unsafe and suspected illegal activity to her supervisors. That included violations of policies related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Woods was not aware, the suit alleges, of previous instances in which tow lot employees who reported misconduct were retaliated against. When Woods reported a number of illegal or unethical activities, she alleges co-workers became hostile to her.
The suit alleges Woods filed a complaint on Jan. 19, 2021, seeking assistance under the city’s Whistleblower Ordinance. On January 21, she was informed her employment was being terminated.
The suit also alleges that a March audit by the city Comptroller’s Office validated claims Woods had made in her complaints.
Woods is requesting a jury trial and seeking relief for lost wages, benefits and attorney’s fees related to her termination, in addition to damages and punitive damages.