A McDonald woman has filed a lawsuit in federal court against Trumbull County Commissioner Frank Fuda blaming him for the loss of the job she held with the county since 2005.

Paulette Godfrey filed the civil complaint in U.S. District Court alleging that Fuda harassed, tormented, bullied, and acted in an abusive manner toward her after she made a comment at a commissioner’s meeting that Fuda had previously been hostile and abusive to her in the workplace.

According to the lawsuit, Fuda’s alleged conduct created a work environment so hostile that Godfrey’s doctor told her that in the interest of her health, she needed to leave the Clerk’s job she held for sixteen years.

Although Godfrey left her job in July of last year, she claims that she was in effect terminated because of the working conditions allegedly imposed by Fuda.

Seeking a trial by Jury, Godfrey is seeking economic, non-economic, and punitive damages totaling in excess of $2,750,000.

Reached by phone, Fuda told 21 News that he worked with Godfrey for fifteen years and has no idea what the lawsuit is about, adding that he never treated anyone like a bully.  Fuda says has been advised by the prosecutor's office to make no further comment.