The NRSC released a new paid digital ad as Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth heads to court for silencing whistleblowers at the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs (IDVA).

The scandal stemming from Duckworth’s tenure as Blagojevich’s hand-picked appointee – during which she allegedly threatened, harassed, and improperly fired IDVA employees, is compounded by breaking developments put forth by yet another pair of courageous whistleblowers.

Just last week, two Hines VA whistleblowers exposed Duckworth for allegedly ignoring veteran abuse and corruption within the Hines VA – conduct aligning all too well with her award-winning ineffectiveness in Congress.

"Rod Blagojevich would be proud of his protégé Tammy Duckworth as she becomes the next Chicago politician headed to court," said NRSC spokeswoman Andrea Bozek. "Unlike what was seemingly acceptable behavior under a Blagojevich administration in Springfield, Duckworth won’t be able to ignore whistleblowers under oath in a court of law."

Click here to watch "Headed to Court."

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SCRIPT:

VOICEOVER: Another day, another scandal

For Tammy Duckworth, it’s just a way of life.

Now, she’s finally headed to court for her shameful cover-up,

Rod Blagojevich would be proud of his protégé Tammy Duckworth.

Ignoring cases of abuse and mismanagement at the Illinois VA, while using her office and title for political gain

Caught in the act, Duckworth fired a whistleblower and tried to intimidate another to cover her trail of deceit.

Now, they’re taking Duckworth to the one place she can’t ignore them: a court of law.

Corruption, intimidation and cover-up.

That’s Tammy Duckworth.

BACKGROUND:

Rep. Tammy Duckworth Is Being Sued For Workforce Retaliation Against Two Employees Of The Illinois Department Of Veterans’ Affairs. “A lawsuit alleging ethics violations nearly a decade ago has become an issue in a Democratic congresswoman’s bid to unseat first-term Republican U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk in what is expected to be one of the country’s most competitive 2016 Senate races. The complaint alleging workplace retaliation was filed by two employees of a southern Illinois veterans home against Tammy Duckworth, now a Chicago-area congresswoman who at the time led the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs.” (“State Workers’ Suit Against Duckworth Spills Into Senate Bid,” Chicago Tribune, 8/4/15)

On September 17, 2009, Christine Butler And Denise Goins, Illinois Department Of Veterans’ Affairs Staffers, Filed An Amended Lawsuit Alleging Duckworth And Patricia Simms Threatened And Harassed The Two Employees For Filing Complaints Against Simms. “The suit stems from Duckworth’s time at the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs, which she led from December 2006 until early 2009, when she left for a federal veterans affairs post under President Barack Obama. In the suit, two workers at the Anna Veterans’ Home in far southern Illinois claim they received poor evaluations and were targets of harassment after filing complaints against the facility’s acting director, Patricia Simms, who is named as a defendant with Duckworth.” (Monique Garcia and Duaa Eldeib, “Walsh, Duckworth Skirmish Over Lawsuit,” Chicago Tribune, 10/11/12)

The Lawsuit States Butler And Goins “Suffered Humiliation, Mental And Emotional Distress, As Well As Lost Wages And Benefits Of Employment” As “A Direct And Proximate Consequence Of Defendant Duckworth’s Acts.” (Christine Butler and Denise Goins vs. Tammy Duckworth and Patricia Simms, First Judicial Circuit, Union County, 9/17/09, p.17)

Duckworth Is Scheduled To Go To Trial On April 4, 2016. “Duckworth also faces charges of retaliation against two employees at the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs. The employees filed complaints alleging mistreatment and abuse of veterans at IDVA facilities during Duckworth’s tenure. Trial is set to begin on April 4.” (Tom Schuba, “VA Whistleblowers Accuse Duckworth Of Ignoring Veteran Abuse, Corruption,” NBC Chicago, 3/7/16)

In April 2007, Butler Sent An E-Mail Directly To Duckworth Explaining How Simms’ Poor Management Choices Led To The Abuse Of A Veteran. “18. On April 18, 2007, Plaintiff Butler sent an e-mail communication to Defendant Duckworth regarding an incident in which five non-employees of the IDVA had come to the Ann Veterans Home the previous day and requested permission of Defendant Simms to provide care to one of the veteran residents of the Home. Defendant Simms had granted them permission to do so, despite the fact that there were obvious concerns about the appearance, hygiene, and conduct of the individuals – and Defendant Simms had not yet conducted a background check on them. By the next day, the five ostensible care-providers had become abusive, both to the veteran and a contractor working at the facility, as well as loud and disruptive, and were required to leave the facility.” (Christine Butler and Denise Goins vs. Tammy Duckworth and Patricia Simms, First Judicial Circuit, Union County, 9/17/09, p.6-7)

Duckworth Admitted She “Screwed Up In Firing” Butler For Being “Insubordinate”

On May 3, 2007, Duckworth Fired Butler “Without Legitimate Cause Or Justification.” “On May 3, 2007, Defendant Duckworth and Defendant Simms met with Plaintiffs Butler and Goins, and other department heads, at the Anna Veterans Home. In a private meeting with Plaintiff Butler, Defendant Duckworth, without legitimate cause or justification, summarily discharged Plaintiff Butler, effective immediately.” (Christine Butler and Denise Goins vs. Tammy Duckworth and Patricia Simms, First Judicial Circuit, Union County, 9/17/09, p.9)

Butler Was Fired For Being “Insubordinate” To Duckworth And Simms. “28. The stated reason that Defendant Duckworth gave for discharging Plaintiff Butler was that she had been ‘insubordinate’ to herself and to Defendant Simms.” (Christine Butler and Denise Goins vs. Tammy Duckworth and Patricia Simms, First Judicial Circuit, Union County, 9/17/09, p.10)

Duckworth Fired Butler For Being “Insubordinate” During A Meeting To Try And Settle The Dispute. “Eventually, Duckworth traveled to Anna to try to settle the dispute by meeting with Butler, Goins and Simms. In the suit, Butler claims Duckworth fired her on the spot, saying she had been ‘insubordinate.’ A few days later, Butler said, Duckworth rescinded her termination and instead placed her on paid administrative leave.” (Monique Garcia and Duaa Eldeib, “Walsh, Duckworth Skirmish Over Lawsuit,” Chicago Tribune, 10/11/12)

Duckworth “Intentionally Humiliated” Butler By Loudly Announcing Her Termination From The Office Then Calling For Security For Her Immediate Removal. “29. After discharging Plaintiff Butler, Defendant Duckworth intentionally humiliated Plaintiff Butler by announcing publicly, in a loud voice, at the Anna Veterans Home, that she had just terminated her, and calling for security. She did not allow her to conduct an exit interview at that time and required her to remove her personal belongings and be escorted out of the facility, during working hours, at that time.” (Christine Butler and Denise Goins vs. Tammy Duckworth and Patricia Simms, First Judicial Circuit, Union County, 9/17/09, p.10)

Duckworth Said She “Screwed Up In Firing” Christine Butler In An Internal Illinois Department Of Veterans’ Affairs Email. “Team, Christy Rios and I will be meeting early Monday before I leave for Quincy to gather our case for CMS ref Christy Butler. I need documentation from you, in a clear, user-friendly format to justify my decision to fire her. I screwed up in firing her since she actually is to be put on disciplinary leave first. Our next step with CMS is to explain why we need to terminate employment. Thank you.” (Director Tammy Duckworth, Internal Illinois Department Of Veterans’ Affairs E-Mail, 5/4/07)

Duckworth Attempted To Silence A Whistleblower By Threatening Termination Of Her Job

Duckworth Told One Whistleblower “If You Do Your Job And Keep Your Mouth Shut And Concentrate On Job Duties, You Will Keep Your Job.” “In the suit, two workers at the Anna Veterans’ Home in far southern Illinois claim they received poor evaluations and were targets of harassment after filing complaints against the facility’s acting director, Patricia Simms, who is named as a defendant with Duckworth. … Denise Goins, who was a human resources secretary, complained that Simms improperly reassigned some of her job duties and forbade her from reporting problems to officials in Springfield. Goins also received an employee review, on which Duckworth signed off, listing her performance as ‘unacceptable.’ Eventually, Duckworth traveled to Anna to try to settle the dispute by meeting with Butler, Goins and Simms. In the suit, Butler claims Duckworth fired her on the spot, saying she had been ‘insubordinate.’ A few days later, Butler said, Duckworth rescinded her termination and instead placed her on paid administrative leave. Meanwhile, Goins said Duckworth told her in a meeting, ‘If you do your job and keep your mouth shut and concentrate on job duties, you will keep your job.’” (Monique Garcia, “Walsh, Duckworth Skirmish Over Lawsuit,” Chicago Tribune, 10/11/12)

Duckworth’s Defense Is Being Paid For By Illinois Taxpayers

Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan Is Representing Duckworth. “Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan’s office is representing Duckworth, and has filed to have the case dismissed.” (Monique Garcia and Duaa Eldeib, “Walsh, Duckworth Skirmish Over Lawsuit,” Chicago Tribune, 10/11/12)

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