FERGUSON, Mo. – The City of Ferguson is being sued by the family of a woman who committed suicide last year after what she said was harassment by her fellow city officials.
Anita Hwang-Ryan served as Ferguson Collector of Revenue for eight years.
In March 2024, she filed an HR complaint saying she been the victim of ongoing harassment by Finance Director John Hughes. On March 20, in what she called retaliation, she was suspended and accused of stealing money from the city.
An audit showed there were no discrepancies and no missing funds. Hwang-Ryan returned to work but was terminated a week later. The lawsuit alleges the city never disciplined Hughes for his initial harassment, and further claims Hughes continued spread false information about Hwang-Ryan after her dismissal.
Hwang-Ryan attempted suicide on April 16 and again on May 7 when she died.
The lawsuit seeks $50,000 from the city, as well as any additional relief deemed by St. Louis County Circuit Court.