EDWARSVILLE — A former Metro East Sanitary District (MESD) employee in Granite City claims he was fired because of his age and political affiliation.
Otto Dunham filed a complaint Nov. 2 in the Madison County Circuit Court against Kurt Prenzler, Steve Adler, Scott Oney, Rick Fancher and the Metro East Sanitary District (MESD) alleging breach of contract and age discrimination.
Dunham alleges in his complaint that on July 28, 2017, he and seven other MESD employees were laid off because of their "political affiliations." He also alleges that the employees' firings were in "direct violation" of the company's contract with its employees.
Dunham further claims that Adler, who was serving as MESD's executive director at the time, "with the full knowledge and approval" of then MESD president and Madison County Board chairman Prenzler, replaced the terminated workers with part time employees in violation of the contract.
Dunham alleges that after a union grievance was filed over the employment terminations, Fancher, who had taken over as MESD executive director, "personally promised" that after the Granite City took control of the MESD, Dunham would get his job back. However, Dunham, who was 64-years old at the time, claims he was never reinstated because of his age. He claims he was told that Oney, who was MESD's current president, made reference to hiring someone Dunham's age.
Dunham seeks compensation of more than $50,000 and all other just relief. He is represented by Brian Wendler and Angie Zinzilieta of Wendler & Zinzilieta PC in Edwardsville.
Madison County case Circuit Court number 20-L-001545