BELLEVILLE – A former counselor at Comwell claims she was terminated in retaliation for refusing to work a position she was unqualified for.
Plaintiff Stephanie D. Elswick filed a lawsuit in the St. Clair County Circuit Court against Comwell, Inc., citing wrongful termination in violation of the Illinois Whistleblower Act.
According to the lawsuit, Elswick was employed by Comwell to work as a Substance User Counselor. Elswick states that she worked for Comwell from Oct. 13, 2003, until her termination on Nov. 21, 2022. Elswick claims she was terminated due to age discrimination and for her refusal to participate in an illegal scheme by Comwell.
Elswick alleges that prior to her termination, Comwell demanded that she work as a mental health counselor. She allegedly refused as she was not qualified to work in such a capacity, and she claims it would be illegal for her to do so. Elswick adds that the defendant engaged in illegally fraudulent billing practices which she refused to participate in.
According to Elswick, Comwell began a campaign of retaliation against her for her refusal to participate as a mental health counselor. She claims she was the victim of verbal abuse over her advanced age and denied rightfully earned vacation pay. She also claims the company falsified records in her employment records to cause her termination and make her search for other employment difficult, the suit states.
Elswick alleges Comwell terminated her in retaliation for repeatedly contacting the company's human resources department to inform them of the defendants' alleged improper and illegal practices. She claims she was wrongfully terminated in violation of the Illinois Whistleblower Act.
The plaintiff is seeking damages in excess of $50,000, plus punitive damages, interest, court costs and any other relief the court deems proper. She is represented in this case by the attorneys of Wendler & Zinzilieta, P.C. in Maryville.
St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 23LA0050