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Health dept. won't comment on discrimination suit

A former Lake County Health Department employee has filed a civil rights lawsuit against the agency, saying she was discriminated against because she is black, court documents show.

Nadege Claude, who worked in the department from 2008 until she was fired in December 2010, claims she experienced a hostile work environment and was harassed because of her race, according to the lawsuit, which was filed Friday in U.S. District Court in Chicago.

The health department does not comment on personnel matters, a spokeswoman said Monday.

An attorney for Claude could not be reached for comment.

Claude was hired in January 2008 as a community specialist, according to the lawsuit. She worked on grant projects and presented health-education programs to Lake County students, the lawsuit states.

Claude first complained to the department about working in a hostile environment in April 2009, the lawsuit says. In September 2010, she filed a claim with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, according to the lawsuit.

That same month, Claude was placed on interim personal leave following a car accident, the lawsuit states.

Also that month, she received a negative performance review, court documents show.

Claude returned to work in November 2010 and was fired in December 2010, the lawsuit says.

Claude is requesting lost pay and benefits, reinstatement and other damages, the lawsuit says. A specific financial figure is not mentioned in the lawsuit.

The case has been assigned to Judge Joan Gottschall.