Last summer, our media outlet exclusively reported on a major government scandal in Beaufort County, South Carolina, involving the town's two top appointed officials and the politicians who appointed them.
“Several elected leaders overseeing this relentless misconduct appear more intent on covering it up than on asserting (or assuming) accountability,” I noted at the time.
The headline accusation? Former Beaufort County Executive Eric Greenway He was fired from his job as a result of the scandal and wrongfully retaliated against the former county health director. Lisa Lynch After she rejected his romantic advances.
“Be aware of what you're giving up tonight and what it will cost you,” Greenway texted Lynch after attending a gathering of friends with another man, infuriating the veteran official.
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That same night, Greenway unilaterally canceled a project that Lynch and several of her associates were working on, citing unspecified “concerns.” He also filed suit with the county Elemental LLC The company is run by Lynch and his sister-in-law. Angie Hassinger.
After this romantic rejection, Lynch eventually lost his job at the hands of one of Greenway's underlings, another Beaufort official who was fired as a result of revelations made during the scandal.
“That's not acceptable,” Lynch told me in an interview last summer. “There's no world in which we can live in where women are treated as second-class citizens.”
Well…unfortunately, that kind of discriminatory treatment is commonplace in Beaufort County government.
As the criminal investigation into the scandal continues, Lynch filed a stunning civil lawsuit in federal court last weekend against her former employer. According to the complaint (.pdf), the county fired her in retaliation for whistleblowing Greenway's retaliatory approach, which is documented in detail (including his petty acts of retaliation).
“Beaufort County, through or on behalf of Eric Greenway, sought to make Ms. Lynch pay a heavy price for not returning her superiors' affections and for complaining about the treatment she received because of her gender,” the lawsuit states.
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Related | Lowcountry Scandal: A New Front Opens
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According to Lynch's defense, her firing was not the end of the retaliation, and “lies about her were spread internally, to reporters, and at public meetings by Beaufort County deputies.”
The lawsuit alleges a hostile work environment, retaliation, negligence, intentional infliction of emotional distress, defamation, breach of contract, fraud and wrongful termination. The lawsuit seeks relief, damages, a declaratory judgment and attorneys' fees.
“Greenway acted out of anger and romantic feelings because (Lynch) would not return his affections,” the lawsuit alleges, backing up its claims with text messages, emails and other documents.
According to the lawsuit, Greenway’s actions “Reward The “sexually harassing” behavior was “encouraged and protected by (Beaufort County's) management and human resources employees.”
“An unlawful and hostile environment was created and maintained, causing Mr. Lynch severe emotional distress and humiliation,” the lawsuit alleges.
Beaufort County did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Lynch's lawsuit, but our media outlet will adhere to our open mic policy and publish any sensible responses to the reports, especially from those who are alleged to have engaged in illegal, unethical or otherwise inappropriate contact.
Stay tuned for updates as this case works its way through the federal system…
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Lawsuit…
(United States District Court)
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About the author…
Will Folkes is the founding editor of the news media you are reading right now. Prior to founding FITSNews, he served as press secretary for the Governor of South Carolina, and before that was a bass guitar player and a bouncer. He lives in the Midlands region of the state with his wife and eight children..
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