Ludwig to return next week

David Ludwig will return to work next week, according to his attorney.

And the woman who worked a few feet from his desk is considering a lawsuit if he does.

Deputy auditor Virgie Koeppel said she is weighing her options, which now include litigation.

She made her first public comments since Ludwig left the county administration building April 17. He'd been confronted privately by the three county commissioners and Cape Girardeau County Prosecuting Attorney Morley Swingle for violating provisions of 2007 document he signed that said another transgression of the computer policy would result in a call for his resignation.

Koeppel spoke after learning 2nd District Commissioner Jay Purcell released that and other documents surrounding Ludwig's computer-use violations and the corresponding complaints. Two of the papers mention Koeppel by name.

Records from Ludwig's computer, released by the county May 6, show visits to sites featuring scantily clad women and sex videos, at times in view of the two women who work for him.

No apology

Koeppel and junior deputy auditor Beth Biri learned Monday that Ludwig was asked in 2007 to sign a letter apologizing to Koeppel for his inappropriate behavior. Ludwig never signed the letter and Koeppel never saw it. She said he has never apologized for his actions, which she said made her feel uncomfortable. She has held the job for 26 years. He has been her boss since 2002.

She said she came into work and found photos of "half-naked" women on the office copier and saw unpleasant images on his computer screen as well.

"What really made me sick to my stomach was when he pulled his chair up to my desk and made a collage of [scantily clad actresses['] pictures]," she said.

Three weeks after Ludwig left the office April 17, County Collector Diane Diebold found at least four pages of collages in his desk drawer. She said she had opened the drawer to get a pen.

Koeppel said she was too embarrassed and intimidated to speak up to Ludwig, her boss. She said she fears for her job. But in 2007, she went to County Clerk Kara Clark with images of a seminude Pamela Anderson that were left on the printer.

Signed document

After being privately confronted by the commissioners, on June 28, 2007, Ludwig acknowledged in a statement that his on-the-job behavior could be considered sexual harassment.

"Mr. Ludwig was confronted with these allegations and the ramifications of possible sexual harassment charges to him personally and the County," the document reads. "He was informed this was a very serious matter that puts the county at risk of litigation. Mr. Ludwig was also informed that any future violation of this nature would constitute grounds for a request of his resignation from office. Mr. Ludwig stated that actions of this nature would never happen again."

Koeppel, unaware of the document, periodically found pictures on the office printer. She complained again April 17.

Ludwig's attorney, Al Lowes, confirmed the authenticity of the signed admission.

Purcell said he was unaware of Ludwig's plans to return to office when he made the documents part of a presentation Monday calling for Sunshine Law training for county officials and board members. He said he knew he had copies of the 2007 documents "somewhere" but only recently found them.

'Very appropriate'

Presiding Commissioner Gerald Jones said Monday he couldn't imagine how Purcell got them, as the only copy was supposed to be in Jones' county office. Purcell said he'd been asked to have his wife type a handwritten version of the document the commissioners and Ludwig later signed.

Purcell said it was "a very appropriate issue to bring up because we were talking about Sunshine Law violations and the need for training."

But he said he didn't block Koeppel's name from the documents because "she's done nothing wrong. She had the strength of character to speak up."

Jones said Purcell was wrong to release the records, "even though it might be construed as public information" because "I told David I would keep it confidential."

Ludwig and his attorney are scheduled to meet with county officials later this week. Neither Lowes nor Jones would reveal the time or date of the meeting.

Women's reaction

Women working in the county administration building have been clear about not wanting to work with Ludwig again.

"This is more than just a naked picture on a desk," said Diebold. She said she has learned since April that the deputy auditors, particularly Koeppel, were repeatedly made uncomfortable by lewd images displayed in the auditors' office.

Biri said she initially shrugged off the print-outs, but would have preferred not to see them in her workplace. The collages, however, crossed a line, she said. Biri said she's not sure what it would take to resume working with her boss.

Lowes insists Ludwig's behavior does not constitute sexual harassment.

"He's wasted some time. Is he the first person who's done that?" Lowes said. "He ain't gonna resign. He ain't."

Jones said he learned Monday that Ludwig planned to return to work next week.

"There's not anything we can do," he said. Monday's commission meeting includes time with both Swingle and another lawyer, Diane Howard, and an open session review of how to handle what Jones called "a sensitive situation."

Swingle did not respond to calls placed to him Monday.

pmcnichol@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 127

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County Commission April 17 meeting excerpt