Former Owatonna employee sues city and 3 top officials for age discrimination and retaliation

Owatonna s former communications manager is suing the city and three top officials for alleged age discrimination, retaliation, and whistleblower violations after she claims a younger leadership team pushed her out of her position, according to court documents filed last week. Deanna Sheely, 62, was hired as Owatonna s first communications manager in 2021 before she was eventually fired in June of 2026 for what city leaders say was based on documented performance and workplace conduct issues, not discrimination or retaliation. The lawsuit alleges that the city of Owatonna, City Administrator Jenna Tuma, Assistant City Administrator Emily Thamert and Human Resources Director Rachel Boss assisted in firing Sheely over the city s budget and a $60 million public safety facilities project. She says a levy dollar amount being shared publicly wasn t accurate, but she was told to use a different number because the higher dollar amount Would spark a red flag in our community. Vote