I am the president of a non-profit agency that receives half its funding from the County Government. Several individuals within the County Government, including a Council member, the Administrator, and an Assistant Administrator, have pressured an employee to file a harassment complaint against me. This employee initially sent an email but later rescinded it. However, the County Council Chair and the County Administrator informed me and my Board Chairman that a claim had been filed, which was later found to be false. Since then, I have received abusive and harassing emails from the Council member, causing distress to me and my employees. My Board of Directors has tried to intervene, but the abuse continues. Additionally, there was an attempt by some County officials to extort funds from a mining company, which I reported. This has led to repeated harassment and false accusations. The situation has taken a toll on my mental and physical health. During a closed session of the Council, the Councilman verbally abused me, and I asserted my rights as an employee. The problem is that while they are not my direct bosses, they fund half of my non-profit, and I'm unsure where my Board members will stand if forced to choose sides. What legal recourse do you suggest?

November 18th, 2023