Clerk’s Lawsuit claims Judge Assaulted Her

A law clerk is suing a Fergus County judge, alleging that he slapped her in the buttocks with a legal file. Britt Long, a lawyer who has worked in Judge E. Wayne Phillips' Lewistown office since 2008, filed a civil claim of assault on Sept. 12. Long claims Phillips came up behind her in his office Dec. 8 and "intentionally slapped her buttocks with a case file folder. Long says the incident caused her symptoms associated with extreme anxiety, including elevated blood pressure and heart palpitations. She is seeking an unspecified amount for lost wages, medical bills and punitive damages, plus Phillips' resignation. Phillips says he is disappointed and discouraged by the allegations. He says he cannot comment further because of the pending litigation.

Story from AP