Watch CBS News

Cook County Jail Nurse Files Lawsuit Claiming She Was Fired For Blowing Whistle On Staff Stealing Medications

(CBS) -- A Cook County Jail nurse says drugs intended for inmates are being stolen by staff, but when she told her bosses, she was terminated.

Joined by her attorney, today Barbara Tominac filed a lawsuit against the Cook County Health and Hospital System saying inmates are being denied medications they need for serious problems like schizophrenia.

Tominac contends supervisors tried to silence and punish her.

"I was thrown down stairs by a high ranking officer and I was told in the process of that, 'You don't look so tough now, so why don't you just let this go?'" she said.

Tominac says she was told to "hone her listening skills" and "stay out of it."

She is suing for lost wages and emotional distress.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.