Karen Prasser Files Lawsuit Against Solon, Mayor Susan Drucker

Former Solon Center for the Arts Director Karen Prasser has filed a lawsuit against Solon Mayor Susan Drucker and the city, according to court records.

The lawsuit, filed Feb. 27 in Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas, alleges that Prasser was subjected to age discrimination, defamation and other charges against Drucker and other city employees, including Human Resources Director Tom Cornhoff and Finance Director Dennis Kennedy.

Prasser is represented by Caryn Groedel, a Solon attorney who handles employment law. Prasser seeks at least $25,000 in damages, payment of lost wages and any punitive damages the court awards her. Court records also show that Prasser has demanded a jury trial.

We are working to get the lawsuit posted on the site.

Prasser resigned from her job as SCA director last year. The arts center and Prasser has since become subject of an investigation by the city after officials announced that "financial irregularities" were found at the arts center.

City officials have not commented on that investigation and no findings have been released.

But public records, including correspondence between Prasser and administration officials, have shed some light on the city's allegations against Prasser, which include mismanagement of employee timecards, improper use of city property and improper financial mingling between the city-run arts center and the private Friends of the Solon Center for the Arts group.

Drucker and the city are currently dealing with another employment-based lawsuit. Former mayor's secretary Sally Deitrick filed a lawsuit against the city and mayor for wrongful termination, and that lawsuit is still pending.

Stay tuned to Solon Patch for more information as it becomes available.

READ MORE ABOUT THE ARTS CENTER CONTROVERSY:

• Karen Prasser Resigns As Executive Director of Solon Center For the Arts
• City Investigating 'Irregularities' at Solon Center for the Arts
• Police Silent on Role in Solon Arts Center Investigation
• Documents Reveal Arts Center Investigation Details
• Russell Schneider Appointed Acting Director of Solon Arts Center
• Mayor: Operations Running Smoothly at Solon Center for the Arts
• Read the Memos At the Center of the Arts Center Controversy
• City Halts Arts Center Patio Project; Returns Donor Funds
• Investigators Focus On Arts Center Secretary's Work With Friends Group