OTTUMWA — The Ottumwa water works’ former financial services director will have her suit against the facility and its former director go to trial next summer.

Teresa Peden filed the suit in May in Polk County, though the suit was later re-filed in Wapello County. She contends her dismissal from the water works was retaliation for her complaints about former director Richard Wilcox’s harassment.

Peden’s suit accuses him of repeatedly initiating “inappropriate sexual comments, gestures and acts,” and becoming angry after she filed a complaint. Peden was placed on paid leave during the investigation.

Wilcox quit as a result of the water works board’s investigation into Peden’s complaints. Rodney Hamilton, also named in Peden’s suit, became interim director.

Peden was fired from her job in March after she was accused of trying to take a “tattoo sleeve” from the North Hy-Vee in Ottumwa. She was not criminally charged in the incident.

An administrative law judge found that Hamilton and board chairman Jack Kirk were acting within their authority when they investigated, though the judge did not back their finding that she had violated the law.

Peden’s suit seeks back pay for lost wages, reinstatement or front pay, damages for emotional distress and attorney fees.

The trial is set for Aug. 10, 2010, with a pre-trial conference in July. The trial is expected to last one day.

Matt Milner can be reached at (641) 683-5359 or via e-mail at mwmilner@mchsi.com