EDWARDSVILLE — A Madison County man is suing a local company where he once worked as legal counsel, alleging unpaid wages of $700,000.
John A. Ess filed a lawsuit Aug. 26 in Madison County Circuit Court against R.P. Lumber Co. Inc. and Robert L. Lumber, alleging violation of the Illinois Wage Payment and Collection Act.
According to the complaint, from September 2006 until late 2014, Ess reasonably performed all duties required of him as legal counsel under contract but he has not received any meaningful annual salary increases after having received such increases between 2000 and 2006. The suit says he was damaged in the approximate amount of $650,000.
The plaintiff alleges the defendants failed and refused to increase and pay his salary, compensation and other benefits.
Ess seeks trial by jury, judgment in a proximate amount of $700,000, plus pre-judgment and post-judgment interest, attorney fees, court costs and expenses. He is represented by attorneys Lee W. Barron and William Buchanan of Alton.
Madison County Circuit Court case number 16-L-1216