Fired custodian receives court-appointed lawyer

An Evanston Township High School custodian who says he was fired for serving on a grand jury received a lawyer appointed by a federal judge earlier this month.

ETHS, 1600 Dodge Ave., dismissed Darren Blake in October 2006.

Blake said he was fired because of absences related to jury duty and health issues, including Hepatitis C and high blood pressure.

The school would not disclose its reasons for Blake’s firing.

In his decision to appoint an attorney for Blake and another individual who was also allegedly fired for jury service, U.S. District Chief Judge James Holderman held “probable merit” existed in the wrongful termination claims.

Blake was fired one day after he missed work to go to the emergency room due to his high blood pressure, he said. His supervisor at the school said it seemed Blake was “on vacation,” Blake said. According to Blake, school officials were looking for a reason to fire him.

ETHS Human Resources Director Toya Campbell said Blake’s account is incorrect.

“I have no idea why he has chosen not to tell the truth,” Campbell said. “He was not fired for being on a grand jury. We encourage all of our employees to honor their civic duties, and we have a lot of people who serve on juries and have never been fired.”

The court is paying all costs for the lawyers for Blake and the other fired juror. The court appointment of attorneys is not a normal practice, said Blake’s attorney, Richard J. Gonzalez.

Gonzalez said Blake intends to sue ETHS, unless the matter is settled out of court.

-Kirstin Maguire