Monroe health dispute expands as former administrator files claim
Former Monroe County Health Department administrator Lori Kelley has formally notified Monroe County that she intends to pursue legal claims stemming from her firing, a move that broadens a dispute that previously centered on allegations against former Health Officer Sarah Ryterband . While the tort claims notice repeats many allegations contained in Kelley's state and federal sexual harassment and retaliation complaints, it also identifies additional county officials, asserts potential state-law claims against the county and lays the groundwork for a future civil lawsuit. The tort claims notice also identifies two officials not named in Kelley's earlier complaints: Kathy Hertz, the health department's director of vital records, and Peter Iverson, a member of the Monroe County Council. Iverson declined to comment. The notice repeats allegations previously raised in state and federal complaints, including claims that Ryterband repeatedly told Kelley she loved her and wanted to be her "partner," sent her a text message containing a photograph of male enhancement gelcaps and subjected her to retaliation after she complained to county officials. The notice also alleges that Ryterband often insisted her personal Gmail account be used for communications. “Ms. Kelley reasonably expected Monroe County to investigate and address the conduct. Instead, the
