It was announced yesterday that "Defendant Duckworth" will soon become the latest member of the Rod Blagojevich administration to have her own trial as she faces a lawsuit for retaliating against VA employees when they blew the whistle on veteran abuse. The trial will start in August and, as Politico notes, "could slip into September."
Since she likes to schedule campaign fundraisers with Harry Reid around her court appearances – despite forcing the Illinois taxpayer to pick up the tab for her legal defense, here is a list of some good spots in close proximity to the Union County Courthouse for her team to start planning in advance of her August trial.
In the meantime, check out what they are saying about yesterday’s breaking development in Tammy Duckworth’s whistleblower retaliation trial:
DUCKWORTH TRIAL SET FOR AUGUST — An Illinois judge…ruled a seven-year-old workplace retaliation lawsuit against Rep. Tammy Duckworth, from when she was Director of Veterans’ Affairs in the Blagojevich gubernatorial administration, will go to trial before the November elections. The judge dismissed Duckworth’s attempt at summary judgment and set a trial date in August, but it’s possible the trial could slip until September. The lawsuit is playing a huge role in Republican messaging in the race, and the NRSC has already released a web ad on the topic.
Associated Press, "Judge Allows Workplace Case Against Duckworth To Go To Trial":
A 7-year-old workplace retaliation lawsuit against Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Tammy Duckworth will remain a campaign issue into the late summer after an Illinois judge said on Thursday that the case could go to trial before the November election…A group of 20 protesters — primarily college Republicans from Southern University in Edwardsville who traveled together on a charter bus — stood in a steady rain outside the rural courthouse before the hearing, holding signs linking the Democrat to "Chicago corruption" as well as disgraced former Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
The Hill, "Illinois Judge Sets Tentative Trial Date For Duckworth Case":
An Illinois judge ruled on Thursday that the lawsuit against Rep. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) alleging workplace retaliation will tentatively go to trial in the months before her November election…In 2009, two former employees working under Duckworth when she led the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs filed a lawsuit against her. One employee alleged that she was fired after filing complaints against her boss…The other employee claims she received a bad performance review and no raise after complaining about the same boss. She claims Duckworth told her to "do your job and keep your mouth shut" to keep her job.
Washington Examiner, "Civil Suit Proceeds Against Ill. Dem Senate Candidate":
Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Tammy Duckworth will face trial before the November general election because of a workplace retaliation lawsuit that accuses her of ethics violations during her time leading the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs…The issue has become a hot-button topic on the campaign trail for Duckworth…
WSIL-TV, "Judge Sending Duckworth Lawsuit To Trial In Middle Of Senate Campaign":
…a Union County judge on Thursday ruled a lawsuit against Tammy Duckworth deserves to go to trial, perhaps as early as August. That would plop it in the middle of her campaign to unseat Sen. Mark Kirk..Two employees at the veterans home in Anna accuse her of unethical conduct in 2007…"If you do your job and keep your mouth shut and concentrate on your job duties, you will keep your job," Duckworth told Goins, according to a court filing by Goins’ attorney…In her sworn statement, Duckworth acknowledges being unfamiliar with how to run a state agency at the time…if there’s no settlement and the case does go to trial, Duckworth will likely be required to testify. Quotes from her testimony could provide headlines — and negative campaign ads — that no candidate would want.
KFVS-TV, "Workplace Case Against Duckworth Will Go To Trial":
…Tammy Duckworth is accused of wrong doing by two employees in a case that goes back almost nine years. Before the hearing, protesters were on hand who say the veteran lawmaker is corrupt. Judge David Boie ruled there is enough evidence to move forward. This absolutely has nothing to do with her political campaigning,” said Christine Butler. “If following the ethics act, policies and procedures for the wellbeing of a veteran that was being abused is a nuisance to Duckworth, per her supporters, quoting that in today’s paper than I question her views and those that choose to support her."
WLS-AM, "Suit Against Duckworth Can Move Forward":
A judge in Downstate Union County has decided to let the workplace retaliation lawsuit to go to trial in August. Two workers at a Southern Illinois Veteran’s home accuse Duckworth of ethics violations when she headed up the Illinois Department of Veteran’s Affairs.
WATCH: WSIL: Whistleblower Lawsuit Could Be "A Huge Political Issue In The Middle Of Duckworth’s Campaign"
[youtube url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6NcSHEuN7xM"]
WATCH: WBBM: "Besides Running For Senate, Tammy Duckworth Will Also Go To Court"
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WATCH: KFVS: "Protesters Were On Hand To Say The Veteran Lawmaker Is Corrupt"
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__WATCH: WREX: Whistleblower Lawsuit "Could Be A Campaign Issue For Duckworth"__
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WATCH: WGEM: "Protesters Gathered Outside The Union County Courthouse" For Tammy Duckworth Hearing
[youtube url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TS3NImf7Dd8"]
WATCH: KHQA: "Two Veterans Home Employees Allege Ethics Violations Against Duckworth"
[youtube url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsPEupwBj3Y"]
WATCH: WTTW: "A Workplace Case Against Tammy Duckworth Will Go To Trial Before The Election"
[youtube url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBcvI8kxQ94"]
WATCH: WPSD: "A Judge Rejected An Effort By Lawyers To Dismiss A Workplace Lawsuit" Against Duckworth
[youtube url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0sqcvP9W6Y"]
WATCH: KLJB: "A Lawsuit Against Democratic US Senate Candidate Tammy Duckworth Will Head To Trial"
[youtube url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovsW6Vputug"]
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WATCH: WRSP: "A Trial Date Has Been Set In A Lawsuit Against Tammy Duckworth"
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