Disparti Law Group has filed an amended lawsuit against the City of Chicago and DCASE Acting Commissioner Kenya Merritt, adding new claims that retaliation against former First Deputy Commissioner Kim Grigsby didn’t stop at her firing—it escalated.
Grigsby, the department’s second-in-command, was terminated on February 27, 2026—just one week after reporting alleged misconduct to the City’s Inspector General and Human Resources. The lawsuit claims she was targeted for speaking up and for agreeing to testify truthfully in an investigation.
The amended complaint adds claims of defamation and post-termination retaliation, alleging that after Grigsby was fired, Merritt made false statements to members of City Council—questioning her competence, loyalty, and qualifications. According to the filing, these statements were made ahead of a key confirmation hearing and were intended to discredit Grigsby and limit her ability to speak out.
According to the lawsuit, those statements are untrue. Grigsby had no disciplinary record and no documented performance issues, and her termination was not based on job performance.
The lawsuit alleges conduct that sends a clear and troubling message to public employees: speak up about misconduct and you risk losing your job—and your reputation. When employees are punished and discredited for telling the truth, others are far less likely to come forward. That silence allows misconduct to continue unchecked and undermines public trust in government.
“This case is about accountability,” claims Attorney Cass Casper. “When public employees speak up about misconduct, they should be protected—not punished.”
The lawsuit alleges violations of the Illinois Whistleblower Act, along with retaliation and defamation, and seeks damages and reinstatement.
