Michael Connelly, president and CEO of Cincinnati-based Mercy Health, has filed a defamation and invasion of privacy lawsuit against Service Employees International Union No. 1199, according to a USA Today report.
In his lawsuit, Mr. Connelly alleges the labor union attempted to destroy his reputation by driving a van displaying his image, the words "GREED! GREED! GREED!" and his personal telephone number around the neighborhood near his home, according to the report.
The side of the van featured a message that said "Mercy Health CEO Michael Connelly is getting rich off the sick, disabled and indigent!"
This wasn't the first stab at Mr. Connelly the union has taken. It also had a paid radio advertisement that said he "wanted to take away workers' sick time." However, Mr. Connelly disputes that claim, according to the report.
Although the attacks on Mr. Connelly stem from labor dispute negotiations between Mercy Health and the union, Mr. Connelly claims the union's actions go beyond a "labor dispute" and are "personal," according to the report.
The lawsuit was filed against the labor union and its president, Becky Williams. The case is pending in the Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas.