Worker claims she was fired for refusing to lie

A Madison County woman says she was fired from her job for refusing to lie about a coworker's dismissal.

Amanda Corder filed a lawsuit Oct. 3 in Madison County Circuit Court against Broomfield Whitesides Inc., also known as Broomfield Whitesides and Associates, and Ace Ventures Pontoon LLC.

The lawsuit claims that Corder worked for the defendants from 2007 through October 2009, during which time she says she received positive feedback and bonuses. Corder says her employer, Jim Whitesides, sent an email to his employees stating they were making staffing changes dues to a coworker being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.

That employee, Shirley Howard, was allegedly fired from the company in June 2009. Corder says for the next five months, her employers asked her on multiple occasions to provide false information about Howard's dismissal. She alleges the statements were related to a lawsuit Whitesides believed was going to be brought by Howard. Corder claims she refused to lie under oath and says she was fired in October 2009 because of that.

Corder accuses Broomfield Whitesides and Ace Pontoon of retaliatory discharge and of violating Illinois' Whistleblower Act. She is asking for more than $150,000 in damages for lost wages and benefits plus court fees.

Attorney Lee. W. Barron of Alton is representing Corder.

Madison County Circuit Court Case No. 11-L-1016