CHICAGO — A Niles Township High School District eexecutive is suing a co-worker, citing alleged defamation.
Sheila Johnson filed a complaint on Feb. 7 in Cook County Circuit Court against Michael Michelini, alleging her co-worker made false accusations about plaintiff.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff sustained alleged significant and irreparable damage to her reputation in the field of education, commencing with her employment with Niles Township High School District 219 as director of business. Johnson alleges the defendant falsely claimed she called him "gay" and alleged she used derogatory names or slurs when talking about him, which she said proved to be untrue after she was subjected to invasive questioning by District 219's administration and legal counsel. She reports that she was even compelled to submit to a polygraph test to prove her innocence. Consequently, she said she suffered undue stress, embarrassment, distress and humiliation, and injury to her reputation, including potential future business and employment prospects.
The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks more than $100,000, plus punitive damages, costs of suit and further relief. She is represented by J. Matthew Pfeiffer and Stephen Cramarosso of Pfeiffer Law Offices in Wheaton.
Cook County Circuit Court Case No.19-L-1359.