BREAKING NEWS UPDATE: Lawsuit against Owatonna outlines many allegations of inappropriate behavior and harassment
To view the complete complaint filed against the city, go to https://steelecountytimes.com/sheely-lawsuit.
A 38-page complaint filed this week in Steele County District Court against the City of Owatonna outlines many allegations of inappropriate behavior and harassment on behalf of the city’s top administrative team, including City Administrator Jenna Tuma.
Former communications manager Deanna Sheely, 62, filed the complaint alleging four counts: age discrimination, reprisal, whistleblower retaliation and aiding and abetting. Sheely is seeking damages in excess of $50,000.
She served in the director-level role with the city from September 2021 until June of this year. She built the city’s communications program from the ground up, earning the city statewide recognition for her work.
Sheely claims her success with the city changed dramatically when Tuma became assistant city administrator in July 2024 and later as city administrator.
In the complaint, Sheely describes the upheaval at city hall over the past year as “a purge.” In 10 months after Tuma became city administrator, dozens of positions turned over in a workforce of about 150, with the departures falling disproportionately on employees in theirs 40s, 50s and 60s. “The playbook was consistent: pretextual performance allegations, the threat of termination and a pre-drafted exit, the city’s written reminder that the allegations remain private, but if the employee refuses, they become public,” the complaint said.
The basis of her complaint appears to be that the city took adverse employment actions against Sheely because of many concerns she raised with Tuma and others.
The alleged behavior outlined in this complaint resembles accusations made by other high-level directors and employees during a special investigative series, “O-Town Crisis” done by the Times earlier this year. In August, the Times spoke to many former employees who spoke negatively about Tuma and the overall pervasive hostile work environment she allows at city hall.
In her complaint, Sheely claims Tuma and her administrative staff subjected her to “adverse employment actions because of her age.” It also maintains the city subjected her to a hostile work environment because of her age, including repeated verbal abuse, ridicule and ostracism.
An independent investigation conducted earlier this year by an agency hired by Tuma on behalf of the city largely found Sheely’s claims unfounded. However, one claim was substantiated in which the investigator found Tuma’s conduct toward Sheely was “unprofessional and was reasonably perceived by Ms. Sheely as intimidating and humiliating.”
In a response to the complaint, the city denied everything outlined in Sheely’s complaint. The city is represented by Iverson Reuvers, a Twin Cities law firm provided by the League of Minnesota Cities of which Owatonna is a member of.
Efforts to reach Tuma and Emily Thamert, assistant city administrator, for comment have been unsuccessful.
To view the complete complaint filed against the city, go to https://steelecountytimes.com/sheely-lawsuit.
The Times will have more on this developing story as it becomes available.