Candidate's wife sues county
St. Johns County Commission Candidate's Wife Sues County, Alleges Whistleblower Retaliation
Ava Pyszczymuka, wife of St. Johns County Commission candidate Adam Pyszczymuk, is suing St. Johns County for wrongful termination and retaliation. She alleges she was fired after reporting sexual harassment and other misconduct — acts she says were protected under Florida's whistleblower laws, according to The St. Augustine Record.
The lawsuit adds a sharp personal dimension to an already contested local race. Adam Pyszczymuk is running for the District 2 seat on the County Commission, currently held by Sarah Arnold. He faces three other challengers: Heather Brofford, Tim Burres, and Will McMullan, Naples News reports.
Whistleblower Claims Drive the Lawsuit Against the County
Ava Pyszczymuka says she was let go after taking steps the law considers "protected activity." That legal term covers things like reporting workplace wrongdoing to a supervisor or government agency. She claims she reported sexual harassment before she was fired, according to Tallahassee Democrat.
Her lawsuit accuses the county of both wrongful termination and retaliation. Retaliation means punishing an employee for speaking up. Florida's Whistle-blower's Act bars employers from firing or punishing workers who report illegal activity. If proven, those violations can lead to back pay, job reinstatement, and other damages, Ocala.com reports.
Husband's Commission Race Puts Family Directly Against County
Adam Pyszczymuk is running for the District 2 seat on the St. Johns County Commission. The seat is currently held by Commissioner Sarah Arnold. His wife's lawsuit names the same county government he is trying to join, creating an unusual conflict, according to Pensacola News Journal.
St. Johns County is one of Florida's fastest-growing counties, sitting just south of Jacksonville. Local commission races there draw heavy attention because of ongoing disputes over growth, development, and public spending. A lawsuit against the county filed by a candidate's spouse is rare and could shape how voters see the race, Gainesville Sun notes.
Four-Way Race for District 2 Seat Grows More Complicated
Adam Pyszczymuk is not running unopposed. He faces Heather Brofford, Tim Burres, and Will McMullan in the District 2 primary. Four candidates in a single local race is a crowded field. The lawsuit filed by his wife could become a campaign issue for any of his rivals, according to The St. Augustine Record.
St. Johns County has not yet publicly responded to the lawsuit's specific claims. The county government will likely need to file a formal legal response. Until then, the allegations — sexual harassment, retaliation, and wrongful firing — remain just that: allegations. The case has not gone to trial, Naples News reports.
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