Fired Trumbull Co. engineer employee sues new engineer

YOUNGSTOWN — Nicole Klingeman, a Bristolville woman fired by Trumbull County’s new county engineer during his first week in office in January, has filed a federal lawsuit over the firing.

She says her firing was in retaliation for her support of Engineer David DeChristofaro’s opponent in the 2008 primary, Randy Smith.

The suit, naming DeChristofaro as defendant in his personal and official capacities, was filed today in U.S. District Court here and is assigned to Judge Peter C. Economus. Klingeman is of Bristol Townline Road.

A press release from the law firm of Subodh Chandra of Cleveland, which filed the suit, said the firing violated Klingeman’s First Amendment rights to free speech and association and the Constitution’s 14th Amendment, which guarantees due process and equal protection rights. The suit seeks $2 million in compensation.

For the complete story, see Wednesday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com