Former Beaufort County employee alleges harassment and retaliation in federal lawsuit
In a federal lawsuit, former Beaufort County employee Lisa Lynch’s detailed allegations provide new insight into the scope and scale of the dysfunction in the county’s administrative office under former administrator Eric Greenway’s leadership.
Lynch, a former consultant turned county director of wellness, is at the center of the controversy surrounding Greenway. She and her attorney filed a 21-page federal lawsuit on May 24 against Beaufort County claiming a series of allegations of petty and vindictive behavior by multiple county executives that resulted in a hostile work environment and, ultimately, her termination.
The suit alleges the county is liable for engaging a quid pro quo sexual harassment working environment in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. While the lawsuit is filed only against Beaufort County, Greenway’s name appears 87 times in the document.
Additional formal allegations include claims of the county’s negligence, intentional Infliction of emotional distress, defamation, breach of contract, breach of contract accompanied by a fraudulent act, promissory estoppel (broken promises), and wrongful termination in violation of public policy.
Lynch’s lawsuit includes details about issues that have previously been reported, including the questionable legality of the purchase of $36,000 in weighted blankets and allegations of mistreatment of Lynch by both Deputy Administrator Whitney Richland and Human Resources Director Katherine Mead.
When reached by phone, Lynch referred all questions to her attorney.
Wellness director job created
Lynch, through her company Elementzal LLC, began contracting with Beaufort County in January 2023. She and her sister-in-law were tasked with providing guidance and strategies related to drug abuse prevention.
According to the filing, Greenway texted Lynch in April, informing her that he had made a new position on the county’s payroll for her as the wellness director.
“I’ve created this job for you, it will be set up for you as you need it to be for security and comfort,” he texted her. Lynch accepted the the job, but she claims she did so only after insisting the hiring go through the proper process. In the role, she reported directly to Greenway.
The filing contains several texts and emails between Greenway, Lynch and others
Consultant and county employee
The lawsuit alleges Greenway, on behalf of the county, sanctioned Lynch’s simultaneous actions of both being a paid consultant and an employee.
From the filing, “Plaintiff (Lynch) had been working with Elementzal in a key role and planned to continue in a limited role with that company going forward. Greenway endorsed and ratified this plan as Beaufort County Administrator. She was owed money from her work with Elementzal when she began her position as Wellness Director with Beaufort County.”
The lawsuit claims that Greenway engaged in a quid pro quo by employing and creating accommodations for Lynch in exchange for her engaging in a romantic relationship with him.
“Just two weeks into her employment, Plaintiff experienced the beginning of the harassment and retaliation that would dominate her life in the coming months,” the suit reads.
Angry text message
In early May, after Lynch brought a male friend to a party attended by Greenway, she said the administrator texted his displeasure. “Be aware of what you gave up tonight and what this will cost you,” the text reads. “But have f------ fun because you are now just an employee of Beaufort County and I’ve lost all trust and affinity for you!”
When Lynch came forward and filed complaints regarding the treatment she was experiencing, she was told the resulting investigation had “found that the County had not violated any laws,” and even after being moved to report to two separate supervisors, she still experienced retaliation.
“Plaintiff sought help internally and externally through her counsel to alleviate the hostility and retaliation, but no actions were taken by Beaufort County to pacify the aggression,” the suit claims.
Lynch was fire shortly after Greenway’s termination.
“The timing – less than 24 hours after Greenway’s exodus – confirmed what Plaintiff believed all along. Beaufort County – either by or through Eric Greenway – was going to make sure Plaintiff paid dearly for not returning the affections of her supervisor and for complaining of the treatment she received based on her gender,” the suit says.
EEOC filing
Following the county’s internal investigation which resulted in no finding of wrongdoing, Lynch filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The EEOC complaint resulted in “no decision” from the federal agency, which is when Lynch and her attorney, Tim Lewis, decided to file the federal lawsuit in accordance with the required sequence of steps.
A federal employment discrimination case cannot be filed in court without first going to the EEOC and having the EEOC dismiss the claim.
Lewis provided context saying that less than half of one percent of complaints result in the EEOC taking up a case, and he and his client “didn’t think it was remotely possible.”
Because the suit alleges violations of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, it has to be tried in a federal court, Lewis said.
The case will be heard in District Court at the federal courthouse in Beaufort. No court date has been set.
County spokesperson Hannah Nichols said, “Beaufort County is unable to comment on pending litigation.”
County Council Chairman Joe Passiment gave a similar response. “It is in litigation and therefore I will not be able to comment,” he said.
This story was originally published May 31, 2024 at 8:30 AM.
