Madison County ordered to pay $658k for lawsuit against Treasurer's Office

June 06--EAST ST. LOUIS -- Madison County is still on the hook for $658,897.77 in damages and legal fees as a result of a discrimination verdict against the Treasurer's Office, according to an amended judgment filed in U.S. District Court last week.

The order was issued after U.S. District Judge Staci M. Yandle dealt with several motions filed by the county seeking a legal ruling on the case, a new trial or reduced judgment. While Yandle approved one technical change, it did not affect the judgment amount she ordered the county to pay last July.

Linda Dunnagan had filed suit under the Americans With Disabilities Act against the office -- ran by then-Madison County Treasurer Kurt Prenzler, who was elected county board chairman in November -- claiming she was terminated because of a debilitating illness.

On July 25, Yandle ordered the county to pay $450,000 in compensatory damages, $80,089.61 in back pay. The judgment also ordered the county to pay $125,440 in attorney's fees and other costs of $3,368.16.

After the county sought to have that judgment reduced, arguing that Dunnagan was an employee of the Treasurer's Office and not of the larger county -- thus reducing the cap for potential damages to be awarded -- Yandle, in the judgment Friday, upheld the order.

Prenzler declined comment Monday, saying he had not seen the judge's order.

Dunnagan was hired in 2000 by then-Treasurer Fred Bathon.

In 2012, Dunnagan claimed she suffered from a "grave illness" and had difficulty caring for herself, but improved enough to return to work. After partially recovering from her illness, Dunnagan continued to work with an intravenous drip attached to her arm, according to the suit.

The suit claimed that Prenzler suggested she retire and seek disability benefits, but Dunnagan refused. She "believed that Prenzler was attempting to fire her or force her from her job," the suit claimed. The suit claimed the treasurer questioned the wisdom of her continuing to work with an intravenous drip attached to her arm. Dunnagan's suit claimed the drip was evidence of her dedication to duty.

Prenzler, who had been re-elected as treasurer a month before the suit was filed, claims he eliminated Dunnagan's position as part of a cost-saving effort.

The lawsuit had become a political issue in Prenzler's fight to unseat then-Chairman Alan Dunstan.

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