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Two former employees are suing a Mentone business for wrongful termination they claim is retaliation for their refusal to participate in alleged illegal activities.
Daryl Shidler and Angela Messersmith have filed a lawsuit in Kosciusko Circuit Court against Midwest Poultry Services, Mentone Egg and Mike Casper.
Midwest Poultry is a limited liability partnership with its principal place of business located at Mentone; Mentone Egg is owned and operated by Midwest Poultry. The businesses produce and sell liquid egg products to processors and manufacturers in the food industry, according to court documents.
Shidler, who was terminated March 24, and Messersmith, who was terminated April 13, are claiming that they were discharged from their employment for refusing to assist or conceal in changing the dates on liquid egg products to make them appear fresher than they actually were.
In addition to being terminated, Shidler claims Casper told people at the business that he was terminated because he had intimidated another employee, that there was a restraining order issued against him and that he was a dangerous person, the lawsuit states.
Shidler said the false remarks are slanderous and have damaged his reputation and claims Casper made the statements with malice.
Casper, plant manager of the Mentone Egg facility, could not be reached for comment Friday.
Shidler and Messersmith seek an unspecified amount to compensate for losses resulting from their wrongful terminations, plus future damages, interest and attorney fees. Shidler additionally seeks punitive damages - an amount to punish the business to prevent such conduct in the future - in an unspecified amount.
The lawsuit, filed by attorney Jeffrey E. Kimmell, South Bend, notes that the plaintiffs seek a trial by jury.
