Former engineer sues Myrtle Beach for defamation, wrongful termination

MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WMBF) – A former engineer with the city of Myrtle Beach is suing the city and two employees, claiming defamation of character, civil conspiracy, and wrongful termination.

Patrick Sadek's attorney has filed a suit against the City of Myrtle Beach, William Oliver, Sadek's direct supervisor, and Assistant City Manager Ronald Andrews, claiming that in 2012, they began "singling him out for harsh and hostile treatment relating to his decision-making abilities and supervisory functions that were necessary for the projects that plaintiff managed for the City."

The complaint alleges that Andrews and Oliver purposefully tried to get Sadek to fail in his job duties by not equipping him and his direct employees with the safety equipment he requested, and by failing to repair his work vehicle.

"Over the course of time between 2012 and 2014, Plaintiff constantly dealt with Oliver and Andrews, tried to perform his job without complaint, but was experiencing rising levels of fear and harassment from the Individual Defendants," the complaint states.

In April 2014, Sadek put Oliver and Andrews "on notice" for their harsh treatment, and made complaints of discrimination in violation of his civil rights.

In November 2014, Oliver gave Sadek a negative performance review, "criticizing him for being a bully and unable to work with others, and stripped him of other major job responsibilities," according to the complaint.

Shortly after, Andrews terminated Sadek, and humiliated him by taking away his company car in front on his colleagues, forcing him to call a friend for transportation home, the complaint states.

The complaint alleges defamation of character, civil conspiracy by the defendants and the City of Myrtle Beach, and seeks judgment by a trial by jury, as well as actual and punitive damages and attorneys' fees.

The complaint filed on behalf of Sadek also notes that he is of Lebanese decent, and is in the process of filing a charge of discrimination with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

WMBF News reached out to the City of Myrtle Beach, but City Spokesman Mark Kruea said they do not comment on pending litigation.