A Platte County worker has filed a civil lawsuit accusing the county auditor of sexual harassment and creating a sexually hostile and retaliatory work environment.
Leanna K. Fannon, 44, has worked in the county’s human resources office since 1996 and currently works as a payroll specialist.
In the lawsuit filed Friday, she alleges that Auditor Siobhann K. Williams began making unwanted sexual advances toward her in 2007, including comments about Fannon’s clothing and appearance. Williams sent her flowers, spied on her and inquired about her whereabouts, Fannon said.
Fannon said she told Williams she was married and not interested in a relationship.
“Every worker in Missouri has the right to decline the advances of a co-worker or boss without being retaliated against,” said Kevin Baldwin, an attorney for Fannon.
Williams, who is seeking re-election, denied the claims.
“The allegations she is making are absolutely untrue and I am not a lesbian,” Williams said. “The timing is interesting because it is two weeks before I am up for re-election.”
The lawsuit alleges that Williams retaliated by questioning Fannon’s job performance during a September 2009 news conference. Williams called for an audit of the county’s human resources department and said it was fraught with administrative problems that created numerous errors in employee payroll and benefits.
Afterward, the Platte County Commission demoted Fannon, who managed the department. It later hired an outside agency to audit the department.
The commission also is named in the lawsuit. County Counselor Bob Shaw said Tuesday that he has not seen the lawsuit and declined to comment.
By GLENN E. RICE
The Kansas City Star