A lawsuit has been filed against Circuit Judge Mary McGowan and the Administrative Office of the Courts by a former McGowan employee who said McGowan had constructively fired her for reasons related to a reading disability.

N’Ell Jones said she was hired in December 2016 as a veterans treatment administrator and informed the judge of her reading difficulty, but said she was subjected to negative treatment related to that disability.  She complained to the administrative office about her problems, the suit says. Feb. 21, 2017, after what Jones described as a disagreement on following instructions, the judge directed her to leave, which she took as termination.

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At the instruction of the administrative office, Jones returned to work but she said harassment continued. Finally, after a series of meetings over sick leave and job performance, Jones left the job in May and the judge ordered a bailiff to take her keys. The suit alleges that Jones’ handicapping condition contributed to her treatment, contrary to federal employment law. It seeks damages from both McGowan and the administrative office. Jones’ lawyer is state Rep. John Walker.

Here’s the complaint. McGowan and the state office have not yet responded in court.

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Jones’ complaint about McGowan was part of a broader complaint about McGowan’s demeanor that contributed to a censure of her last summer by the state Judicial Discipline and Disability Commission.

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