Politics & Government

Lawsuit Mania Continues in Arnold

Shaun Missey is the latest in a growing list of people who are suing, have threatened to sue or have filed complaints regarding the actions of Arnold city officials.

Harassment, retaliation and defamation. Those are words we've heard repeatedly in the last six months as several have come forward alleging they have been subject to the acts by Arnold city officials.

Shaun Missey, would-be Ward 1 Arnold City Council candidate, is the latest to sue the city. On Tuesday, his attorney filed a federal lawsuit claiming that City Attorney Bob Sweeney and City Clerk Diane Waller illegally removed his name from the April 2 ballot for political reasons.

In October, Susie Boone, the city's parks and recreation director, went public alleging Ward 4 Councilman Ken Moss had harassed her for more than two years. Boone claims the harassment began after Moss' sister was fired from the Parks Department. 

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Shortly afterward, the city hired Protective & Investigative Services to investigate the complaint. The firm concluded the complaint had merit. But several councilmembers called the investigation hearsay. The majority of the council refused to accept the report into public record and, subsequently, refused payment to the firm.

The potential litigation involving Boone was settled in mediation. The . Additionally, Boone will be guaranteed a contract that renews on an annual basis until Dec. 31, 2018. Additionally, all future communications to her by council members must come through the city administrator.

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In January, a second city employee filed a complaint with the Missouri Commission on Human Rights. Police Chief/Acting City Administrator Bob Shockey alleged Moss and Ward 1 Councilwoman Doris Borgelt retaliated against him because of the Boone investigation.

All along, Moss has denied any wrongdoing in the Boone situation. In February, Moss' attorney filed a defamation lawsuit on Moss' behalf against four city officials and the private investigator who conducted the investigation.

The city officials named in the lawsuit include: Boone, Sweeney, Shockey and Mayor Ron Counts. The lawsuit claims they, along with the private investigator, conspired against Moss by publicly making false statements against him.

And finally, the owner of We Buy Gold claims Borgelt harassed him and damaged his business. He is threatening to sue Arnold unless the city pays him a $75,000 settlement. Borgelt denies any wrongdoing.

Sweeney told Patch late Wednesday that he had just received a copy of the Missey lawsuit, but hadn't had a chance to review it.

He added that here haven't been any recent developments in the possible We Buy Gold litigation or the Moss lawsuit, which has been turned over to the city's insurance company. 

Sweeney said the insurance company was still gathering information regarding Shockey's complaint. 

Patch will provide further updates as more information becomes available.


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