A Belleville woman is suing the municipality and the city clerk, alleging slander and libel.
Roswitha Wilson filed a lawsuit Dec. 10 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against City Clerk Dallas Cook and the City of Belleville, alleging slander, libel and false representation.
According to the complaint, on May 27, Cook, a member of the city council, was standing in front of City Hall, speaking with a police officer. During the conversation, the suit says, the defendant reported that he witnessed Wilson enter a City Hall office and remove paperwork. Later the same day, the lawsuit alleges, Cook left a message for a second officer of the department restating what he saw and requesting the officer come to City Hall to question the plaintiff.
Subsequently, the defendant questioned Wilson in the city clerk's office and in front of others. Cook further alleged he had proof of her theft on a video recording. The defendant then told a third police officer what he says he witnessed, the suit says, and Cook filed an official complaint that day.
Cook also gave the written complaint to the Belleville News Democrat and, on July 23, the newspaper printed a story about the defendant's accusation, the suit says.
The police department investigated and found no video evidence to support the defendant's claim, the suit says.
Wilson seeks general and punitive damages of $80,000 from each defendant and for each count, interest on those damages, court costs and other relief the court deems appropriate. She is represented by attorney Kevin C. Kaufhold, Kaufhold & Associates PC of Belleville.
St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 15-L-696