EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. (AP) – A southwestern Illinois veterans’ advocate is suing Madison County after he was barred from his office following a violent incident his lawyer blames on post-traumatic stress disorder.
The Alton Telegraph reports officials won’t allow Iraq War veteran Bradley Lavite to work in the Edwardsville county administration building after a March disorderly conduct arrest.
The felony charge was later amended to a misdemeanor violation and will be expunged if Lavite, a 20-year Army Reserve veteran, successfully completes 90 days of court supervision.
He also must pay $1,600 in restitution for kicking out a police car window while being transported to a hospital for a medical evaluation.
County administrator Joseph Parente says he has tried unsuccessfully to negotiate the terms of Lavite’s return to the Madison Veterans Assistance Commission.
