Former Leetsdale employee claims firing was political
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A former Leetsdale administrative assistant whose post was eliminated when her husband lost his reelection bid for council sued the borough today, saying she lost her job for political reasons.
Sandra Bajsec, 59, of Leetsdale, "was fired because of her affiliation with her husband, who was a former council member," said her attorney, Sam Cordes. "Under the constitution, you cannot fire someone because of their political affiliation."
Ms. Bajsec's employment became an issue in last year's municipal elections in Leetsdale.
According to her complaint in U.S. District Court, she was hired in July 2010, four months after her husband, Michael Bajsec, became a council member. Mr. Bajsec did not vote on the hire, the complaint said.
Her position was converted from part-time to full-time four months after she took the job, the complaint said.
A slate of candidates ran on pledges to oust Ms. Bajsec and several other borough employees. They won, and at their first meeting in office, eliminated Ms. Bajsec's position. They later replaced it, though, with a similar position, the complaint said.
The complaint said Ms. Bajsec wants her job back, plus compensation for emotional damages.
The suit names the borough and four new council members as defendants. Neither Leetsdale's mayor nor its solicitor could be immediately reached for comment.
First Published February 10, 2012 2:49 pm
