By Bill Grubb
News Editor

ROGERSVILLE - Hawkins County Juvenile Court Judge James Taylor and the county have  been named in a $3 million lawsuit filed in federal court by a former Juvenile Court employee.
    Julie Delana Rasmussen filed the papers Jan. 12, just under the one year deadline from her termination as a Youth Services Officer on Jan. 15, 2010.
    The 13-page lawsuit claims seven counts as the "causes of action" including:
    •  From October 2006 until she was terminated Taylor violated Rasmussen's civil rights and that actions were because of her gender;
    •  That she was deprived of her right to due process under the 14th Amendment;
    •  That Rasmussen was discriminated against in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Tennessee Handicap Act;
    •  That Taylor is guilty of assault and battery by making "unwelcome and unwanted" acts against the woman;
    •  That Taylor is guilty of "extreme and outrageous conduct and infliction of emotional distress."
    •  That Rasmussen is the victim of wrongful termination and retaliation.  The lawsuit claims that the woman's refusal of Taylor's sexual advances and her threat to expose may have played a part in her dismissal; and
    •  That money was taken by Taylor, to be invested, but the money was never invested or returned.        
    The suit seeks compensatory damages of $1 million, punitive damages of $2 million, lost wages, attorney's fees and other expenses.
    Rasmussen is represented by Ursula Bailey, a Knoxville attorney.
    A response to the lawsuit has yet to be filed.