In a significant legal development for Springfield, a former employee of Drury University, Lloyd Marshall, has filed a lawsuit against the institution and a supervisor, alleging retaliation following his reports of inappropriate behavior. The lawsuit, filed in Greene County Circuit Court, seeks at least $25,000 in damages related to his termination.
Allegations of Inappropriate Behavior
Marshall, who worked at Drury University from August 2023 until May 2025, reported to Alex Riddle, the executive manager of the facilities department. This department is responsible for maintaining the university’s grounds and landscaping. According to the lawsuit, Marshall was given authority by Riddle to hire entry-level employees without needing supervision or consent, a task he performed approximately 12 times.
Marshall’s lawsuit claims that Riddle made inappropriate comments and took questionable actions concerning race and gender. For instance, Riddle allegedly discouraged Marshall from hiring a female employee simply because she was a woman. Additionally, after Marshall hired a Black man, Riddle reportedly terminated the man’s employment two days later, stating that the individual “didn’t represent Drury.”
Retaliation and Termination
Following these incidents, a female employee hired by Marshall reported Riddle for sexual harassment, which included making inappropriate comments, shadowing her work without purpose, and leering. When Marshall confronted Riddle about these allegations, Riddle allegedly dismissed them and instructed Marshall not to report the incident to Drury’s human resources office. Subsequently, Riddle restricted Marshall’s hiring responsibilities.
Marshall’s lawsuit describes a difficult work environment following these events, culminating in his termination on May 22, 2025, by Riddle and Jennifer Baltes, Drury’s director of human resources. Marshall claims he presented his side of the story, including the sexual harassment allegations against Riddle, which he was instructed to keep silent.
The Daily Citizen has reached out to Drury University officials for comment on the lawsuit but has not yet received a response.
Original reporting: Springfield Daily Citizen — read the source article.
