Suit filed against district, commission claims nepotism and discrimination

KINGWOOD — A former employee of Preston County Public Service District 1 is suing the PSD and the Preston County Commission.
John Keener filed the civil suit recently in Preston County Circuit Court, alleging nepotism and age discrimination by the district. He is asking the court to award him twice his unpaid wages, plus costs and attorney fees.
The commission is being sued because it is responsible for the “control, supervision and management of the financial, business, personnel and other policies and affairs of Preston County, including the appointment of PSD 1 board members.”
County Administrator Kathy Mace said, “We are in receipt of the suit, and it has been forwarded to our insurance company.”
In the suit, Keener said he worked for PSD 1 from December 2001 through July 2, 2018, when his employment was terminated.
From 2007 on, he “was made” to hold two positions, plant manager and chief operator. He was not paid additionally for the second position, the suit said. Keener said he was also “required” to run PSD 2 for two years with no additional pay.
He was entitled to pay for each, according to the suit.
Water quality suffered because the PSD board refused to approve improvements and upgrades to the treatment facility during his tenure, Keener said.
While Keener was employed, PSD 1 Board Member Mike Adams “expressed the design to hire his son,” according to the suit. In May 2018, Keener was suspended for “unspecified misconduct which never occurred,” he said.
Adams’ son, Charles Adams, was hired to replace Keener as chief operator, and Charles’ cousin, Jackie Foreman, was hired as plant manager. This is nepotism, and neither  is qualified for their new position, the suit said.
In addition, “But for his age, PSD 1 would not have fired the plaintiff,” the suit said. It does not provide Keener’s age.
Mike Adams said the district has no comment on pending litigation.
Keener said he suffered loss of income and benefits, damage to his physical health and wellbeing, mental anguish, humiliation, embarrassment, anxiety and other adverse mental and emotional effects, loss of standing and reputation in the community, financial and other hardships, and other damages.
No trial date has been set.