Episode 109 - An Examination of Employee Lawsuits and Allegations of a Retaliation Culture

The source is a detailed paper examining the alleged culture of retaliation and abuse within the St. Johns County, Florida, government, spurred by several employee lawsuits. The analysis focuses primarily on the whistleblower retaliation case of former employee Ava Pyszczymuka, who claims she was fired after reporting sexual harassment and subsequent reprisal. To provide context, the document offers case studies of similar sexual harassment and retaliation lawsuits in other Florida counties, including Orlando and Palm Beach, detailing the high financial costs and necessary leadership changes required for resolution. Finally, the paper concludes with concrete recommendations for reform, such as implementing robust anti-retaliation training and establishing independent oversight, and suggests actions citizens can take to hold local officials accountable.