LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Legal Newsline) — An Arkansas state employee alleges she was terminated for reporting misuse of grant funds and other illegal activity within the Arkansas Public Broadcasting Service.
Stephanie Lilly-Palmer filed a complaint in Pulaski County Circuit Court Clerk against the State of Arkansas alleging retaliation.
According to her complaint, the plaintiff worked at various state agencies for more than 16 years. She claims that in February of 2023, after transferring to the Arkansas Public Broadcasting Service, she learned that there were illegal and unethical activities being committed within the agency. The plaintiff alleges that her internal complaints about the illegal activities were not addressed, which caused her to met with state senators and legislative auditors.
She further alleges in her complaint that a February audit found that the Arkansas Public Broadcasting Service violated state law relating to use of grant funds. The plaintiff claims that less than three weeks after the publication of the audit, she and another co-worker who made reports about the illegal activity were terminated in retaliation and in violation of the Arkansas Whistleblower Law.
She alleges she has damaged personally, professionally and financially due to the defendant's actions.
The plaintiff seeks monetary relief, interest and all other just relief. She is represented by Chris Burks of WH Law in North Little Rock.