A Webster County jury is set to hear a case this week filed by a Texas County court clerk who is suing the Texas County prosecutor alleging he abused his office in attempt to quiet her and another county worker.
The allegations by Mildred S. Williams are contained in an eight-page July 2009 petition in Texas County Circuit Court. The case was moved to Webster County on a change of venue. Howell County Judge Don M. Henry will hear the case. About 90 potential jurors are to be called to the Webster County Courthouse beginning Tuesday.
It is the second lawsuit involving Prosecutor Michael Anderson related to incidents that occurred in late 2005 and early 2006. Anderson and Texas County government were the subject of a January 2009 federal lawsuit by Monica Daniel Hutchison that included many of the same charges. That case was settled out of court this spring after the county was dismissed as a plaintiff, and the outcome sealed by a federal judge just as a jury was hear the case.
Both Williams and Hutchison, a former prosecuting attorney office worker, were sued in May 2006 by Anderson, who alleged the women had engaged in a smear campaign against him at the same time they were involved in coordinating a “swinger” style sex ring out of the offices of the prosecutor and associate circuit court. Several weeks later, Anderson dropped the lawsuit.
In Williams’ lawsuit, she seeks compensatory and punitive damages against Anderson on three counts: Malicious prosecution related to Anderson’s lawsuit, abuse of process and defamation. Williams is represented by Hutchison’s law firm, Steelman and Gaunt, Rolla.
Anderson has denied the charges.
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