By Mark Schlinkmann

Copyright stltoday

BRIDGETON — A former Bridgeton city employee has sued the city, accusing an ex-city councilman of sexual harassment and alleging that other city officials didn’t correct or prevent it and retaliated by firing her.

Yolanda Elkins, who was an executive assistant for the city, said in the suit that harassment by then-Councilman Jerry Grimmer began in November 2023.

Grimmer could not be reached for comment on the suit, which was filed Tuesday in St. Louis County Circuit Court. Grimmer resigned from the City Council in October 2024, according to council minutes.

In her lawsuit, Elkins claims that, prior to a meeting where Elkins was introduced to council members, Grimmer gave her a hug to welcome her and as he pulled away touched her breast.

In April 2024, Elkins alleged, Grimmer greeted her with another hug at a tree dedication ceremony, patted her upper back, allowed his arm to fall below her waist and “proceeded to pat (her) butt.”

She also cited an incident in May 2024, alleging that Grimmer with his finger poked her “between her cleavage” after complimenting her on doing a good job on a swearing-in reception for the new mayor.

City Administrator Kevin Bookout on Wednesday declined to comment on the suit, saying city policy is to not speak about pending litigation.

Elkins, who is Black, said in the lawsuit that she emailed the city’s HR coordinator, JoAnna Spencer, to report the incidents with Grimmer and to report “racist and misogynistic” comments she said were made to her by “another” white male employee. Grimmer also is white, the suit notes.

Elkins said Spencer arranged for Elkins to meet with an attorney for the city. The suit said she was asked by the attorney what she would like to see happen and that Elkins suggested “training for the men.”

The suit said Spencer then said that the entire council had been assigned to complete sexual harassment training although Grimmer had not yet accessed his video training.

The suit also said Spencer claimed that Grimmer would no longer be allowed to come to an office where Elkins and another Black woman employee were located. The suit said that woman, who isn’t fully identified in the suit, also had said Grimmer had been “inappropriate.”

The suit alleged that while Grimmer did enter a meeting through another entrance, he left walking through Elkins’ office “as if nothing was wrong.” Spencer could not be reached for comment Wednesday.

The suit alleges that Elkins’ race “was a factor in the discriminatory conduct she experienced and suffered.” Management level employees knew or should have known of the discrimination based on her race but failed to address it, the suit says.

Elkins, of Florissant, is seeking an unspecified amount in damages.

Kim Bell of the Post-Dispatch contributed to this article.