Exclusive: Sheboygan Mayor Accuser Made Same Claim Before
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Angela Payne filed a lawsuit against her previous employer. Video by tmj4.com
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SHEBOYGAN - Angela Payne is accusing Sheboygan Mayor Bob Ryan of discrimination and sexual harassment. TODAY’S TMJ4 has learned that this isn’t the first time she has made that accusation against an employer.
Ryan is facing two recent scandals: an embarrassing YouTube video where he appears to be drunk and is making sexual comments about his sister-in-law, and an accusation of sexual harassment by fired human resources director Angela Payne.
Court documents obtained exclusively by TODAY’S TMJ4 show that 9 years ago, Angela Payne made a very similar accusation against her employer at the time, Citizens’ Committee on Youth in Cincinnati, Ohio. Back in 2000, Payne claimed she had a sexual relationship with her boss, and when she ended it, he “discriminated and retaliated against her,” “threatened Plaintiff with termination,” which “thereby contributed to her decision to resign,” according the complaint.
Payne sued her boss and employer for 1 million dollars. The case later went to federal court, where a judge threw it out. It’s likely this 2000 case will be looked at very closely if Payne’s claim about Mayor Bob Ryan goes to trial.
Gregg Gunta, attorney for the City of Sheboygan, said he could not comment on the previous discrimination claim.
TODAY’S TMJ4 also contacted Angela Payne, who referred us to her lawyer. Payne’s lawyer did not return calls for comment on Wednesday.
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