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Former Proviso Twnsp Transportation Dir. ‘fired over
politics’
The former Director of Transportation of Proviso Township says he was wrongfully
terminated for his support of political opponents.
By MARY O’CONNOR
Jan 28, 2010
PROVISO | According to the complaint, Charles Fredrickson became the Coordinator of
Trans-portation in 2001 and then the Director of Transportation in 2005 until his
termination in 2009.
During that time, Fredrickson publicly supported various candidates that were running
against candidates politically affiliated with defendant Ronald Ser-pico, the mayor of
Melrose Park, the complaint states. Those candidates included Steve Morella, Tony
Peraica, Kathleen Ryan, Teresa Kelly and Jesse Martinez.
When defendant Michael Corrigan became the Supervisor of Proviso Township, he
informed Fredrickson that there would be a pretermination hearing regarding Fredrickson
and that his termination was due to politics, according to the complaint.
The complaint further states that Corrigan and other members of the board - defendants
Don Sloan, Timothy Gillian, Anthony Williams and Mari Herrell - are “controlled by and
politically aligned with Serpico” and all voted to remove Fredrickson from his position as
Director of Transportation.
Fredrickson says he was unlawfully penalized for exercising his right to freedom of speech
and he is seeking, among other things, reinstatement, back pay and compensatory and
punitive damages.
politics’
The former Director of Transportation of Proviso Township says he was wrongfully
terminated for his support of political opponents.
By MARY O’CONNOR
Jan 28, 2010
PROVISO | According to the complaint, Charles Fredrickson became the Coordinator of
Trans-portation in 2001 and then the Director of Transportation in 2005 until his
termination in 2009.
During that time, Fredrickson publicly supported various candidates that were running
against candidates politically affiliated with defendant Ronald Ser-pico, the mayor of
Melrose Park, the complaint states. Those candidates included Steve Morella, Tony
Peraica, Kathleen Ryan, Teresa Kelly and Jesse Martinez.
When defendant Michael Corrigan became the Supervisor of Proviso Township, he
informed Fredrickson that there would be a pretermination hearing regarding Fredrickson
and that his termination was due to politics, according to the complaint.
The complaint further states that Corrigan and other members of the board - defendants
Don Sloan, Timothy Gillian, Anthony Williams and Mari Herrell - are “controlled by and
politically aligned with Serpico” and all voted to remove Fredrickson from his position as
Director of Transportation.
Fredrickson says he was unlawfully penalized for exercising his right to freedom of speech
and he is seeking, among other things, reinstatement, back pay and compensatory and
punitive damages.