UPDATE 9/9: The County Board of Commissioners have stated they will hire an outside attorney for the case.

"These things happen once in awhile, its part of public life," said Smith. "What will happen is the county will appoint lawyers and it will get resolved eventually."

--- Original Story 9/8 --- 

MADISON, Neb. - A relative of a former northeast Nebraska city employee punished for allegedly using city supplies and workers for personal projects is suing city and county officials.

Abbie Freudenburg of Battle Creek filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court against Madison County Attorney Joseph Smith and former Madison City Clerk Kelli Dickes. She alleges the two violated her First Amendment rights and conspired to threaten her for speaking out against Madison city officials.

The case centers on Freudenburg’s father, former Madison utility superintendent Jim Lewis, who was reprimanded and later fired following a state audit. The audit alleged he used city employees for work on personal property.

Freudenburg claims Dickes falsified documents and failed to post minutes of city council meetings. She also says in her 26-page complaint that Smith threatened her with litigation to prevent her from raising concerns with city officials.

She is seeking an unspecified amount of damages.

Court records show a summons was filed last week. On Tuesday, the Madison County Supervisors are scheduled to discuss retaining the Nebraska Intergovernmental Risk Management Association to defend Smith in the case.

 

 

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