However, documents obtained from the Circuit Court of Union County show an ongoing suit against Ms. Duckworth for ethics violations, including public humiliation of a wrongfully terminated employee and intimidation of a second for reporting supervisor misconduct to Ms. Duckworth.
“Tammy Duckworth cannot just brush off serious allegations that she fired a whistleblower for reporting ethics violations,” Illinois Republican Party Chairman Pat Brady said today. “After Rod Blagojevich, what could be more fundamental than rooting out state corruption and unethical activity? If Tammy Duckworth covered up ethical wrongdoing in her department by firing a whistleblower, she should not hold public office in the State of Illinois.”
Brady asked Duckworth the following three questions:
- Ms. Duckworth, in the lawsuit, you are named a defendant as an individual and as a state employee. Still, your defense is currently represented by Attorney General Lisa Madigan's office. Do you think it is appropriate for Illinois taxpayers to pay your legal defense bills for nearly four years when you are being sued as an individual?
- Ms. Duckworth, last night you directly told voters that the existence of this lawsuit is "not true" while documents prove the contrary. Do you believe you owe the voters of the 8th district an apology for lying to them?
- Ms. Duckworth, when two employees came to you to report the misconduct of a supervisor, which included allowing partisan political activities to occur on taxpayer property, you fired one whistleblower and allegedly told the other to "keep (her) mouth shut" and she could keep her job. After Rod Blagojevich, do you think behavior like this should be rewarded by election to public office?
