COOK — Former Housing and Redevelopment Authority of Cook Executive Director Reed Erickson has filed a civil lawsuit seeking more than $50,000 in damages, alleging that a hostile work environment created by city and HRA officials forced him to resign from his position in December 2022.
The complaint, filed in St. Louis County District Court on May 15, names the HRA of Cook, the city of Cook, former mayor and HRA board chair Harold Johnston, and HRA board members Donna Snyder and Sharon Ratai as defendants. Erickson claims the defendants’ actions over a period of years amounted to intentional infliction of emotional distress causing multiple negative health effects.
In January, Erickson pleaded guilty to a criminal charge of gross misdemeanor misconduct of a public employee for wrongfully claiming nearly $19,000 in compensation for unused leave time from CHRA and was ordered to pay $24,232.90 in restitution. An original felony charge of embezzlement and a subsequent felony charge of theft for which Erickson would have faced stiffer maximum penalties were dismissed.
A breakdown in relations
Erickson was hired as HRA executive director in October 2014. The complaint alleges that tensions began after Snyder was appointed to the HRA board in 2017 and Ratai in 2018. Erickson contends both appointments were improperly ratified by the city council, but the dispute centers on how the two engaged with him once they joined.
According to the complaint, Snyder and Ratai began micromanaging operations, questioning Erickson’s decisions, and bringing resident complaints directly to the board. Erickson contends they also sought information about his wages and veteran status, creating a pattern of interference and personal animosity.
The lawsuit says Johnston, as mayor, was aware of the growing friction but did little to resolve it. After former CHRA board member Mary Mankowski resigned in late 2021, Johnston appointed himself to the board and became vice-chair. Erickson claims Johnston soon began to interfere directly in administrative matters, including attempting to stop multiple evictions.
In December 2021, Erickson says Ratai entered an HRA unit without authorization and told a contractor the board intended to “get rid of” him.
In February 2022, Snyder, Ratai, HRA Treasurer Jodie Bixby, and Johnston allegedly met with residents at the community center without public notice, a meeting Erickson claims violated the Minnesota Open Meeting Law.
Official complaints
In March 2022, Erickson filed a formal hostile-work-environment complaint with the Minnesota Occupational Safety and Health Administration. According to the lawsuit, MNOSHA directed both Johnston and HRA leadership to investigate, take remedial action, and respond in writing. Then-board chair Chris Gramling investigated, concluded a hostile environment existed, and recommended Erickson work from home. Johnston, the complaint alleges, “refused to comply” with MNOSHA’s order.
A mediation attempt followed, but Erickson says Gramling was the only HRA board member who agreed to participate. The mediator echoed MNOSHA’s recommendations for remote work and office security. Erickson says when he began working from home, Snyder and Ratai repeatedly questioned his whereabouts, and Johnston declined to confirm he had permission to do so.
Alleged impacts and resignation
Erickson claims years of conflict damaged his health and his ability to perform his duties. After a resident allegedly threatened that “one of these days someone is going to shoot” him, he sought a restraining order and began experiencing anxiety, depression, insomnia, and panic attacks for the first time. He says he was prescribed multiple medications and advised by medical providers to reduce his hours, avoid unnecessary contact with certain board members, and work remotely when possible.
The complaint describes the work environment as “unsafe, hostile, and volatile,” with residents enlisted by board members to oppose him and spread disparaging remarks. Erickson says the situation escalated in November 2022 when the board requested his medical records. He resigned the following month, citing ongoing antagonism and failed interventions.
Response
On June 3, attorney Dyan Ebert filed a response on behalf of Johnston and the city of Cook. Ebert denied all of Erickson’s allegations, claiming that all decisions and actions taken related to Erickson “were reasonable and appropriate.” The filing also invokes the “doctrine of unclean hands,” an indication the defense will likely try to use Erickson’s criminal verdict in the HRA fraudulent compensation case to undermine the lawsuit.
While much of the complaint focuses on Snyder and Ratai’s alleged interference, Johnston is accused of failing to act as mayor to resolve tensions, improperly influencing operations as an HRA board member, and participating in meetings that violated open meeting requirements. The HRA is accused of enabling and perpetuating the hostile environment, while the city of Cook is named for its role in appointing and ratifying board members and allegedly failing to intervene.
Erickson’s lawsuit seeks damages in excess of $50,000, plus interest, costs, attorney’s fees, and other equitable relief. For the Open Meeting Law claim, he also seeks a civil fine of up to $300 against those found in violation.
Should the parties not agree to a mediated resolution of the lawsuit, a trial would likely occur in early 2026.