Perica
A former nurse has filed an amended complaint in a defamation of character suit aimed at his former employer, Saint Anthony's Hospital, and a former co-worker.
Plaintiff John Doe filed his new complaint April 1.
Doe is suing Saint Anthony's and Kathryn Hartmann for damages in excess of $75,000, lost wages, reinstatement to his former job, and other relief.
Saint Anthony's staffers E.O. Kiepher and Cindy Drainer are named in the suit as respondents in discovery.
According to the plaintiff's newest complaint, he had worked as a recovery room nurse for 12 years before he was fired by the hospital.
Doe claims his firing was instigated by Hartmann who was jealous of him.
He alleges that Hartmann told a number of other hospital staff members that she had seen him when he had molested a heavily sedated patient.
He claims the hospital then fired him based on the accusations.
The firing occurred in April 2009.
The plaintiff claims he was then exonerated by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. That body covers nurses' conduct.
He claims that the defendants engaged in defamation per se, cast him a false light, caused him emotional distress and discriminated against him based on his sexual orientation.
The defendants deny the allegations.
Bob Perica and Jacqueline Brandenburg-Rees represent Doe.
Jill Luft represents the defendants.
Madison County Circuit Judge Dennis Ruth presides.
The case is Madison case number 10-L-370.