3 former Porter County, Ind., workers allege discrimination

VALPARAISO, Ind. — Three former Porter County employees have filed federal complaints alleging that they were unlawfully driven out of their longtime jobs.

The Times of Munster reports the three women allege that they were fired or forced to retire from their jobs at the county clerk’s office based on their age and politics, both of which are prohibited by federal law.

The complaints were filed with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission by 54-year-old Margaret Hammond of Portage, 58-year-old Kathleen Tabor of Valparaiso and 60-year-old Diana Kesel of Hebron. Their attorney, Mitch Peters, says a number of clerks have told him the atmosphere in the clerk’s office “is one of fear.”

Porter County’s attorney says that if asked she’ll help County Clerk Karen Martin form a response to the allegations.