WARREN, Ohio - Trumbull County Commissioner Nikki Frenchko is denying allegations made by a county employee in a $1 million dollar discrimination and defamation lawsuit filed in federal court.

The civil suit was filed by Lisa DeNunzio Blair on Wednesday in U.S. District Court against Frenchko and the board of commissioners.

However, the lawsuit makes no allegations against the other two commissioners by name, Frank Fuda and Mauro Cantalamessa.

Blair alleges that Frenchko has made repeated statements deriding Italian Americans, likening them to “mafia types and organized crime members”

According to the complaint, Blair believes she was a victim of retaliation from Frenchko because Blair complained about Frenchko to her supervisors and the Director of Human Resources about alleged cyber-bullying, sending harassing emails to Blair, and accusing Blair of being a liar.

Blair claims that Frenchko voted against Blair’s application to become an “assistant clerk” with the county.

Frenchko has denied Blair’s allegations, saying the complaint is politically motivated, and designed to hurt Frenchko.

“I follow policies instead of playing favorites at the county to reward supporters; I’m putting a stop to this. I was elected to do things differently— that’s what I’m doing and that’s what’s causing the problems; I’m following the law, my colleagues and staff don’t like it,” Frenchko said in a statement.

The lawsuit seeks damages in excess of $1 million.

Two other similar civil cases against the commissioners are pending in federal court, the allegations of which Frenchko has denied.

Christine Glenn, administrative secretary to the commissioners, filed a lawsuit calling the office a "hostile and abusive work environment.

Dawn Guarino Gedeon, a receptionist for the commissioners, filed a $1 million lawsuit against the commissioners alleging she has been the victim of discrimination, defamation, and emotional distress