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Thursday, March 28, 2024 | Back issues
Courthouse News Service Courthouse News Service

War Breaks Out in County Attorney’s Office

LOUISVILLE (CN) - A former prosecutor claims she was fired for reporting that Jefferson County Attorney Mike O'Connell used the "fear [of] his wrath" to pressure assistant attorneys to donate to his political campaign and party. The day after she was fired, Glenda Bradshaw said she would run against O'Connell in this year's Democratic primary.

Bradshaw, former director of criminal prosecutions for the county attorney's office, claims O'Connell "kept track of who did or did not contribute to his campaign" and "was known to summon the campaign contribution list if he was going to take employment action within his office."

She claims she was fired in retaliation for complaining about O'Connell's sexual discrimination and his frequent "uncontrolled outbursts," including a "verbal assault" against her "that lasted approximately 10 minutes."

The Louisville Courier-Journal reported that on Jan. 6, the day after she was fired, Bradshaw announced her plan to challenge O'Connell in this year's Democratic primary.

In her complaint in Jefferson County Court, Bradshaw seeks damages for wrongful termination, sex discrimination and violations of the Kentucky Whistleblower Protection Act.

Glenda Bradshaw, who spent 16 years with the county attorney's office, told the Courier-Journal that O'Connell accused her of failing to enforce a policy to track police officers who failed to appear in court. Bradshaw told the newspaper that that was unnecessary, since the police kept track of it.

She is represented by Thomas Clay.

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