• About Us
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Pickem Terms and Conditions
Thursday, June 30, 2022
The Platte County Landmark Newspaper
  • Home
  • Local News
  • Opinion
  • Landmark Pickem!
    • Login / Sign-up
    • Results by Week
    • Pickem Rules and Help
  • Landmark Live!
  • Looking Backward
  • es_MXSpanish
  • Home
  • Local News
  • Opinion
  • Landmark Pickem!
    • Login / Sign-up
    • Results by Week
    • Pickem Rules and Help
  • Landmark Live!
  • Looking Backward
  • es_MXSpanish
No Result
View All Result
The Platte County Landmark Newspaper
No Result
View All Result

Former court employee files suit against judge, Parkville

Ivan Foley by Ivan Foley
May 1, 2011
in Parkville
5
SHARES
113
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare via Email

A former court clerk for the City of Parkville has filed a lawsuit against the city and its municipal judge, claiming she was wrongfully terminated.

Jennifer Ozias, 35, of Kansas City in Platte County, filed the lawsuit last week. She had worked as a clerk in Parkville Municipal Court under Judge Sandra Ferguson from November of 2004 until April of 2009.

RelatedNews

Criminal probe underway at Parkville City Hall

REAL ID enforcement pushed back to 2023

A business boom in downtown Parkville

A docket call on the case is scheduled for July 18 at 9 a.m. in the courtroom of Judge Lee Hull.

The petition alleges wrongful termination against the judge and against the city, as well as defamation, and demands a jury trial.

Ozias’ duties included scheduling, planning, and coordinating court-related activities. Her suit claims that she reported to city officials “numerous wrongful acts” by Judge Ferguson that “were in direct violation of city ordinances, policies, procedures, and Missouri statutes.”

Ozias alleges that Ferguson converted city property (a desk, book case, filing cabinet are mentioned) to her own property without payment or for payment far below market value. Her suit also accuses Ferguson of “misappropriating and usurping public funds with respect to travel expenditures.”

Ozias’ suit says she reported such alleged violations “so as to make it clear to city officials that she was not endorsing or complicit in Judge Ferguson’s wrongdoing.”

The petition alleges that within months of reporting the acts to city officials, Ferguson threatened her with termination and “forced” her to resign by signing a written letter of resignation that had been prepared by the judge. Ozias claims she had never received any warnings or complaints about her job performance. She alleges the city and the judge “intentionally and recklessly made false statements” about her and her termination. According to the petition, in her termination paperwork, the defendants allege that Ozias was terminated for insubordination and breach of security. Ozias claims she was informed she was being terminated for insubordination and breach of security in front of the city administrator and the assistant city administrator.

“Statements made and published in documents and in front of city officials and coworkers that plaintiff was being terminated for insubordination and breach of security were false and made in bad faith with reckless disregard for the truth because plaintiff was ultimately being terminated for reporting illegal conduct and public policy violations committed by Judge Ferguson,” the petition alleges.

Conduct by the city and the judge “was extreme and outrageous, as it constituted a clear attempt to thwart, subvert, and suppress clear public policy that encourages employees to report illegal activity, public policy violations and other instances of wrongdoing,” Ozias’ suit alleges.

Reached by phone Wednesday morning, Ferguson told The Landmark that she denies the allegations. Beyond that, she said she would have no further comment.

Tags: lawsuitLawsuitsparkvilleplatte county
Ivan Foley

Ivan Foley

Ivan Foley, owner/publisher of the Platte County Landmark, has been on the news beat in Kansas City's Northland for 40 years. He provides weekly observations in his Between the Lines column and serves as host of Landmark Live, a light-hearted videocast featuring newsmakers in the Northland.

Related Posts

Evergy Platte City

Evergy catching static

by Ivan Foley
June 30, 2022
0

'The people and businesses of Platte City deserve reliable electricity' (EDITOR'S NOTE: This is the first entry in a two-part series focusing on frequent power outages in a major portion of Platte City) Electrical provider Evergy is catching some static...

July 4th Platte City

Free food awaits July 4th Celebration attendees

by Ivan Foley
June 30, 2022
0

Daytime event downtown; nighttime fireworks Free food, entertainment and a lot of kids/family activities are in store in Platte City when the city hosts its July 4th Celebration. The downtown event will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on...

Sexual assault kits

Officials clearing backlog of untested sexual assault kits

by Valerie Verkamp
June 30, 2022
0

About 3,300 sent to lab for analysis Missouri officials say they have tried to clear the backlog of untested sexual assault kits. In crimes of sexual assault or first-degree rape, physical evidence like a DNA test can mean the difference...

30 Years Ago–July 3, 1992

by Ivan Foley
June 30, 2022
0

Navy Lt. Robert W. Dill, son of Pat S. Dill of Kansas City in Platte County, recently received the Navy Commendation Medal. Dill was cited for meritorious service while serving with Naval Supply Corps School, Athens, Ga. where he is...

Next Post

Details known about accident that killed county worker

Popular News

  • July 4th in Platte City: Free food, music, games

    July 4th in Platte City: Free food, music, games

    40 shares
    Share 16 Tweet 10
  • Authorities seek two persons of interest in shooting

    27 shares
    Share 11 Tweet 7
  • Parkville sanctuary is a chance to connect with nature

    8 shares
    Share 3 Tweet 2
  • Greitens unplugged; an answer to satellite radio problem

    13 shares
    Share 5 Tweet 3
  • Mexican restaurant opens in Briarcliff Village

    7 shares
    Share 3 Tweet 2
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Pickem Terms and Conditions
Call us at 816-858-0363

Copyright © 2019-2020 The Platte County Landmark Newspaper - All Rights Reserved

No Result
View All Result
  • Subscribe Online
  • Home
  • Local News
  • Opinion
  • Landmark Pickem
    • Results by Week
    • Pickem Rules and Help
  • Landmark Live!
  • Looking Backward
  • es_MXSpanish

Copyright © 2019-2020 The Platte County Landmark Newspaper - All Rights Reserved

Are you sure want to unlock this post?
Unlock left : 0
Are you sure want to cancel subscription?