A federal harassment lawsuit was filed by an Indian Hills General Improvement District employee naming the district and its interim general manager and trustee candidate Art Baer.
In the lawsuit, water operator Josh Joyner is claiming Baer retaliated against him for reporting the district to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration costing the district a $3,300 fine.
Joyner contacted the Nevada Occupational and Safety and Health Administration to report unsafe working conditions on July 14.
The state investigated the district on July 18, found documentation and other violations and fined the district $3,300.
The lawsuit claims that Sandi Eisele told Joyner's co-workers he was responsible for the inspection.
Baer was named interim general manager of the district on July 23, the same date the attorney general's opinion was issued, after he volunteered to do the job without pay. Chairwoman Laura Lau was the sole vote against Baer's offer.
After the fine, the lawsuit claims Baer, Eisele and board member Denise Pierini "acted with animus against Joyner because of the complaint."
In the lawsuit, Joyner claims he was suspended, his schedule changed and he was threatened with termination by Baer.
He said that on Aug. 22, when he notified the district he planned on filing a retaliation complaint with OSHA, the pressure increased.
After being denied overtime he felt he was entitled to, Joyner then said he intended to file a complaint with the labor commission.
In the lawsuit, filed Oct. 14, Joyner is seeking punitive damages from both the district and the individuals named in the lawsuit.
