ALTON – A nurse is suing Alton Rehabilitation and Nursing Center for terminating her employment in retaliation for reporting predatory sexual behavior by one of its residents with a criminal history.
Tara Johnson filed the lawsuit in the Madison County Circuit Court against defendants Alton Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, LLC and Integrity Healthcare Communities, LLC, citing disregard for the safety of caregivers and residents and wrongful termination.
According to the lawsuit, Johnson worked at Alton Rehabilitation and Nursing Center as a L.P.N. She alleges that while she was working there, the defendants had begun recruiting residents with criminal histories, because the government would pay their expenses.
Johnson claims that on April 2, Antony Joiner, a resident with an extensive criminal history, committed sexual battery against her while she was at her desk, which satisfies the elements of rape under Illinois law. Johnson also claims that on April 13, Joiner entered another residents room and sexually assaulted her. The plaintiff adds that Joiner has demanded sexual favors from staff and residents.
The lawsuit stats that the defendants knew about Joiner's criminal history and is aware of the incidents, but Joiner remains a resident at the center.
Johnson alleges that by recruiting residents with criminal histories, the defendants pursued a business strategy that they knew would adversely impact the safety of its staff and residents.
She claims that on April 24, Joiner again committed sexual battery against her while she was at her desk. She reported the incidents to the defendants, but she was advised not to call the police or she could lose her nursing license.
After she filed the complaint, the defendants allegedly reported the plaintiff to a state agency, falsely alleging that she was abusing Joiner. She was terminated from her employment the same day.
Johnson claims that prior to the incidents involving Joiner, she had made an FMLA claim against the defendants for a pay dispute. She alleges her termination following the Joiner incidents was done in retaliation for reporting the abuse and for the pay dispute claim.
The plaintiff is seeking damages in excess of $50,000, plus court costs and any other relief the court deems proper. She is represented in this case by attorney Thomas G. Maag of Maag Law Firm, LLC in Wood River.
Madison County Circuit Court case number 2022LA000534