A former Chicago city worker has sued the city, claiming she was fired as a city security director in retaliation for refusing to go along with a scheme that allowed private security vendors to submit false bills, and enabled watchmen to be paid for overtime they never worked.
On Feb. 6, plaintiff Pamela Harris filed suit in Cook County Circuit Court, accusing the city of wrongful termination and violation of the Illinois whistleblower protection law.
According to the complaint, Harris worked as director of security of the Bureau of Facility Operations at the Department of Assets, Information and Services. She was purportedly promoted to that position in November 2022.
Beginning in February 2023, Harris says she learned that private security vendors, allegedly including Allied Security, Skytech Security, and Steiner Security, were submitting false invoices for payment, according to the complaint.
The lawsuit further asserts Harris learned that a group of night watchmen employed by the city were receiving overtime pay for holidays they did not work, amounting to as much as $5,000 in unearned overtime per watchmen per year.
According to the complaint, Harris claims she detailed these issues in an email to AIS Commissioner Sandra Blakemore on Sept. 22, 2023. According to the complaint, Harris claims she was then terminated without cause and placed on an "ineligible for rehire" list.
The lawsuit seeks a court order directing the city to restore her to her former job and pay her compensatory damages for lost wages and other claims.
Harris is represented by attorneys Thomas H. Geoghegan, Michael P. Persoon and Will W. Bloom, of the firm of Despres, Schwartz, & Geoghegan, of Chicago.