Venice worker claims city hasn't paid him since he started working in September

A Venice man is suing the city, saying he has not received any wages since he began working for the city in September.

Kenneth W. Sloan Sr. filed a lawsuit May 6 in Madison County Circuit Court against the city of Venice.

Sloan says he was hired as superintendent of streets on Aug. 8 and entered into an oral agreement with the city on Sept. 8 to work. As part of the agreement, the city said it would pay Sloan $18,000 per year, plus medical benefits.

To accept the job, Sloan resigned from his job as a union laborer, where he was paid $28.65 per hour with medical benefits. At his union job, Sloan says he worked more than 40 hours per week.

Sloan began working for the city on Sept. 8 and filled out time sheets for hours he worked.

Despite his demands for pay, Sloan has not received any wages since he began working, according to the complaint.

"The reasonable value of the services provided by Ken Sloan to Defendants is $11,250, excluding medical benefits and costs of collection," the suit states.

Because the city has not paid him, Sloan has lost wages he would have made if he had stayed with the union, plus incurred expenses in order to provide medical care to his family. He also claims he suffered mental anguish.

In addition to the money he says he is owed, Sloan is seeking economic damages in excess of $100,000 and medical costs, plus pre-judgment interest, court costs and attorney's fees.

Todd W. Sivia and Brian J. Lambert of Sivia Business and Legal Services in Edwardsville will be representing him.

Madison County Circuit Court case number: 09-L-475.