A lawsuit filed against the Taylorville Chamber of Commerce has had an amended complaint added to it from Linda Allen. Allen maintains that she was illegally fired from her position as Executive Director of the Chamber and that there was retaliation against her. Her original lawsuit named Krystal Baker as Chairwoman and Mike Mann as Board Member and now has added John “JI” McDowell to the lawsuit as a board member and Founding Member of Small Town Taylorville Marketing Initiative.
Regional Radio News has received new information that Allen alleges that on February 28th, there was a conversation held at Angelo’s Pizza, which is owned by McDowell. The conversation was held over these certificates of insurance, which Allen says were illegal and fraudulent. Allen reported that they were fraudulent and said that this is why she was terminated. During the conversation, Allen reports that McDowell expressed concern over Small Town Taylorville President Steve Craggs being mad at the Chamber over these certificates.
According to Allen, an unnamed witness who was present at the discussion attested that JI McDowell acknowledged concerns over the improper use of DBA Small Town Taylorville but pressured Linda Allen to refrain from further action, as it would upset Craggs. According to the lawsuit, the witness claimed that McDowell told Allen to protect the Chamber and also made derogatory comments about Craggs.
In this new information, Allen alleges that JI McDowell, directly participated in and contributed to the wrongful termination, retaliation, and intimidation against her.
View the amended complaints filed in Christian County Circuit Court on Monday, at these links:
