NutraSweet claims former employee breached agreement by suing

A company that makes an artificial sweetener is suing a former employee it claims breached their separation agreement.

The NutraSweet Co. filed a lawsuit Jan. 26 in Cook County Circuit Court against Harriett H. Butchko.

According to the complaint, Butchko entered into a separation agreement in 2003 when her employment was terminated that stipulated she would refrain from suing NutraSweet for compensation the company might owe her.

The company alleges Butchko breached that agreement by filing a breach of contract action against NutraSweet Holdings Inc. in July 2014 that claims she is owed employment-related compensation.

As a result of having to defend itself against that action, NutraSweet alleges it has sustained attorney fees and is seeking a reium. It is being  represented by attorney Greg Shinall and Erin Wagner Wolf of Sperling & Slater in Chicago.

Cook County Circuit Court case number: 2015L000788.

This is a report on a civil lawsuit filed in Cook County Circuit Court. The details in this report come from an original complaint filed by a plaintiff. Please note, a complaint represents an accusation by a private individual, not the government. It is not an indication of guilt and represents only one side of the story.