SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (CN) - A former Illinois employee claims she was fired for refusing to participate in ousted Gov. Rod Blagojevich's scheme of trading jobs, promotions and raises for campaign donations and political work. Former Revenue Department personnel director Deborah Tumulty claims in Sangamon County Court that her firing was also based on her cooperation with the FBI's investigation of the ex-governor's "corrupt and illegal practices."
She says the governor operated a quid-pro-quo system for the purposes of gaining money and political influence.
"The scheme was operated to attempt to coerce members of the Illinois General Assembly to support Blagojevich in exchange for favorable consideration of employment actions for persons recommended or sponsored by members of the General Assembly," Tumulty claims.
She says she was reassigned when she refused to participate, and later told to resign or be fired. She tendered her resignation, but sued the ex-governor and his aides for alleged retaliation and violations of the state whistleblower statute.
Defendants include Joseph Cini, Brian Hamer, Sam Flood, Lainie Krozel and Jennifer Ricker.
Tumulty demands reinstatement, lost wages, restored benefits and punitive damages. Her attorney is Carl Draper.
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