The former executive director of the Greater Edisto Chapter of the American Red Cross is suing the charity.

After two decades in the position, Cindy Smith was dismissed as the executive director of the chapter on Oct. 16. On Wednesday, she sued the American National Red Cross and the American Red Cross of Central South Carolina and its chief executive officer, Scott Salemme.

Smith is seeking a $1 million judgement against the defendants collectively and another $2 million in punitive damages from Salemme as an individual.

In her complaint, Smith alleges the Red Cross terminated her improperly. It also accuses Salemme of "intentional infliction of emotional distress."

J. Lewis Cromer, Smith's attorney, said in a release that, "This fine lady has been treated most shabbily by an organization designed to protect and help people in times of need and not to throw good people under the bus for personal reasons."

"She has been strongly supported by her board of directors and continues to have their support and, more importantly, the support of the people of Orangeburg County for whom she has labored over two decades in the vineyards. We will do everything that we can to see that she is vindicated and receives the same measure of fairness that she has always shown to others in her dealings for the American Red Cross and the Greater Edisto Chapter," Cromer said.

The Red Cross completed a reorganization plan in July 2008, at which time Salemme retained his position as CEO of the Central South Carolina ARC Chapter and took charge of the Greater Edisto ARC Chapter, the lawsuit stated.

Smith's complaint says Salemme then, "began a ruthless campaign of criticism and obstruction" aimed at removing her.

It alleges that Salemme was instrumental in taking away Smith's accrued leave time with the Red Cross which she values at $65,000. It also claims Salemme revoked the chapter's severance policy, under which she was to receive six months worth of severance pay if her position was eliminated.

"Salemme lacked any basis for such termination nor any authority to terminate her absent the approval" of the local chapter's board of directors, the complaint states.

Salemme said Wednesday that while he was not aware of a lawsuit and couldn't specifically comment on it, he was disappointed that it was filed.

"I thought we could get through the whole process, that we could work through these types of situations. I'm disappointed that it's occurred. I'm at a loss for words. I'd like to look at the entire document before I can comment on that," he said.

Smith is also suing for defamation of character, with the suit claiming that Salemme accused her on several occasions of improper management as executive director "often in the presence of other board members and outside persons."

The lawsuit also alleges Salemme created a hostile work environment marked by "constant interference, threats and baseless remarks" all while Smith was "under extreme pressure and suffering from serious physical conditions."

The Greater Edisto Chapter of the ARC is headquartered in Orangeburg and serves Orangeburg, Barnwell and Allendale counties.

T&D Staff Writer Dionne Gleaton can be reached by e-mail at dgleaton@timesanddemocrat.com or by phone at 803-533-5534.

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