A former Red Bank female administrator has filed a $500,000 lawsuit against the city, saying officials there carried out a campaign to rid city hall of top-level women.

April Eidson, who was public works administrator, also is suing Commissioner Joe Glasscock in the Circuit Court complaint.

The suit, filed by attorneys Phil and Jennifer Lawrence, says Ms. Eidson took the position in March 1997.

It says she successfully oversaw a multi-million-dollar revamping of the city sewer system and received raises and commendations.

But it says in October 2002 there began a series of incidents of "gender-based discrimination" that was "in retaliation for certain legally-protected actions" she had taken.

The suit says on Oct. 23, 2002, that Commissioner (now Mayor) Howard Cotter told her that certain members of the Red Bank Planning Commission and other influential community figures "do not want a woman in a position of authority in city government." The suit says she believes Commissioner Glasscock was one of those individuals.

The suit notes that Margaret Dillard was serving as city manager.

The complaint says on Dec. 3, 2002, that Commissioner Cotter told her he had been at the Red Bank Lions Club meeting "and several of them said I should get the women out of city hall and get a strong male leader."

Ms. Eidson said that last July, she was informed by Margaret Dillard that Commissioner Glasscock "wanted her (Ms. Eidson) moved out of her office."

It says that later Commissioner Glasscock "referred to her as a bitch" prior to a commission meeting.

She said on July 23 Commissioner Cotter told her she should find another job "so that her career would not be damaged."

She said that in August, Commissioner Glasscock said, "I have got to get these women out of city hall."

Ms. Eidson said she resigned Oct. 16.

The suit also says Red Bank had received a grant that was supposed to be used to buy a police vehicle, but that City Manager Ron Darden had put the money in the general fund instead.

Ms. Eidson said she reported the fact to the Justice Department, which carried out an audit that found there had been supplanting of grant funds.

Ms. Eidson said she had "a legal and moral duty" to report the alleged misuse of the grant funds.

The suit said Mr. Darden called her a "back stabber" for doing so.

Ms. Dillard replaced Mr. Darden after he resigned in November 2001.

The suit asks the $500,000 for lost wages, humilation and embarrassment and pain and suffering, as well as seeking punitive damages.