Calumet City Clerk Sues for Damages Following Dismissed Lawsuit

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Calumet City Clerk Nyota Figgs seeks compensation after a lawsuit that accused her of destroying city documents in 2021 was dismissed. She claims that Mayor Thaddeus Jones and Calumet City attorneys conspired against her, according to a new lawsuit filed by her legal team on Tuesday.

The clerk accuses them of civil conspiracy, malicious prosecution, and abuse of process in their handling of the initial lawsuit. Although the city reimbursed Figgs for her legal fees, her attorney, Edward Moor, argues that she deserves damages for enduring hardship over four years as the lawsuit lingered.

Moor also represents Calumet City’s 2nd Ward Alderman Monet Wilson in a separate case against Jones for alleged slanderous statements. He stated that the period was traumatic for Figgs, asserting that the mayor essentially sidelined her role as an elected city official.

The new lawsuit claims that Jones removed several of Figgs’ responsibilities and hired someone else to perform her duties in 2021, ignoring objections from city aldermen. Figgs is currently seeking a court injunction to prevent further reduction of her duties, which is under consideration.

Figgs and Jones had an earlier personal relationship, which ended in 2013. The lawsuit claims Jones proposed rekindling the relationship in 2021, which Figgs declined, but he continued his advances until the year’s end.

The complaint alleges Jones, also a state representative, collaborated with attorneys from Ancel Glink and Michael Kasper of the Kasper, Holmes, and Dring law firm in pursuing baseless legal action against Figgs. It further contends the legal proceedings were manipulated to tarnish Figgs publicly and coerce her into withdrawing a prior sexual harassment claim.

Mayor Jones, through spokesperson Sean Howard, dismissed the allegations as false and unfounded, declining further remarks.

Seeking damages exceeding $50,000, Figgs’ attorney Moor praised her resilience amid the alleged harassment, emphasizing her dedication to her role and the citizens of Calumet City.