Calumet City Clerk Nyota Figgs is pursuing damages following the dismissal of a lawsuit that accused her of illegally destroying city documents in 2021. She has filed a new lawsuit against Mayor Thaddeus Jones and attorneys representing Calumet City. The claims include civil conspiracy, malicious prosecution, and abuse of process related to the handling of the initial lawsuit.
While Figgs was eventually reimbursed for her attorney fees, her legal representative, Edward Moor of Moor Law Office, asserts she deserves further damages. Moor cited the four-year ordeal as harmful, as the lawsuit filed in October 2021 persisted.
Moor is also involved in separate litigation, representing Calumet City’s 2nd Ward Alderman, Monet Wilson, against Jones over defamatory political statements. “This was a traumatic period for her,” Moor stated. “She is an elected official who was marginalized by the mayor’s actions.”
The lawsuit contends that Mayor Jones, prior to filing the original suit, diminished Figgs’ responsibilities and appointed another individual to assume much of her role, despite opposition from city aldermen. Figgs is looking for an injunction to maintain her duties, which remains under consideration.
According to the lawsuit, Figgs and Jones were in a romantic relationship from 2005 until 2013. In 2021, the mayor allegedly attempted to reignite the relationship, which Figgs declined. Allegedly, Jones made further advances until the end of that year.
Defendants used the mechanisms of the Circuit Court, an injunction, and city resources to retaliate, punish, and undermine a political and personal foe.
The lawsuit claims Jones, who is also a state representative, collaborated with attorneys from Ancel Glink and Michael Kasper of the Kasper, Holmes and Dring law firm to initiate an unjust legal action against Figgs. Additionally, it accuses Jones and the attorneys of exploiting the legal system to damage Figgs’ reputation and pressure her to withdraw a prior sexual harassment lawsuit.
Through his spokesperson Sean Howard, Jones stated that “every claim in the lawsuit is false, baseless, and unsubstantiated,” declining further remarks.
Figgs seeks over $50,000 in damages, as outlined in the lawsuit. “Figgs has shown incredible resolve,” Moor commented. “Despite harassment and retaliation, she continues serving Calumet City citizens, whom she adores.” He added that he hopes for the lawsuit to appropriately address the challenges she faced.