Former St. Anthony's chief sues over firing, claiming he was disabled by anxiety and depression

March 26-- Mar. 26--ALTON -- The former chief of staff of St. Anthony's Health Center has filed suit against the operators of the facility, claiming he was fired without a proper hearing.

Dr. John E. Lindsay, a podiatrist, also claimed he was fired without consideration for his disability, which he describes in a suit as anxiety and depression.

Lindsay was hired on Aug. 5, 2008, according to the suit, under an employment agreement. On Sept. 1, 2015, he was offered a second agreement, which significantly altered the terms and conditions of his employment, he claims.

He resisted the new agreement, but, on Oct. 20, 2015, Sister M. Anselma, then chief operating officer of the center, said he must sign the agreement or be terminated.

He signed the second agreement Oct. 20, 2015. The agreement was assigned to another operator on Dec. 15, 2015.

The suit claims that the management of the hospital adopted certain bylaws on Aug. 22, 2016. Lindsay then signed an administrative services agreement that mane him chief of staff on May 3, 2017.

However, the suit claims David Wells, vice president of the organization that took over the operation, summarily terminated him on Aug. 6, 2018. Two weeks before his termination, the hospital management accused him of improper conduct, but Lindsay denied any wrongdoing, the suit claims.

He was fired after he requested to bring a lawyer with him to a second meeting to discuss his employment, he claims.

The suit claims the management cited "outbursts" for his termination, but Lindsay claims the "outbursts" were a result of his symptoms of anxiety and depression. He said additional duties and an increased workload made his symptoms worse.

The suit claimed that the hospital management has insisted on a "non-compete" clause within the agreement, which has prevented Lindsay from finding other employment.

Lindsay filed a charge of discrimination Dec. 4 before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. In it, he cited his mood disorders and the claim that the management failed to accommodate him. The commission, however, sent a notice stating it was unlikely that the commission would be able to complete the process within the required 180 days time frame and terminated the charge.

That body issued a "right to sue letter," which lead to the suit. Lindsay is represented by attorney Bryan J. Schrempf, of Schrempf, Kelly & Napp of Alton,

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