Worker claims she was fired by Madison County financial company for reporting alleged sexual harassment

The owner of a Madison County financial company is accused of firing a woman after she alleged repeated sexual harassment on the job.

Kelley S. Brooks filed a lawsuit Oct. 6 in Madison County Circuit Court against Douglas Kiffmeyer, Rees and Kiffmeyer Modern Retirement Group Inc., Kiffmeyer Tax Advisory Group, and Iron Focus Inc. Implementing Dreams Inc. and four other unknown defendants are also named in the lawsuit.

Brooks says she worked for the defendants in various positions from October 2012 to July 2013. Kiffmeyer is the owner of the companies and Brooks' boss, according to the petition. Brooks alleges she was subjected to sexual advances and comments on a daily basis from Kiffmeyer as well as inappropriate touching. Brooks claims she was frightened by Kiffmeyer's conduct because he was prone to angry tirades and several times threatened her with a gun he kept in his desk.

Brooks alleges she asked Kiffmeyer to stop the behavior and harassment several times but it continued. She claims she was eventually fired by Kiffmeyer in retaliation for complaining about the treatment and refusing to comply with his sexual advances.

Kiffmeyer and his companies are accused of violating Illinois' Human Rights Act, in regards to sexual harassment and retaliatory discharge, violation of Illinois' Gender Violence Act and assault and battery. Brooks asks for more than $200,000 in damages for lost income and court costs.

Attorneys Brent W. Welder and David L. Blunt of Edwardsville represent Brooks. They request a jury trial.

Madison County Circuit Court case number: 14-L-1367.