Butler County has responded to allegations of sexual discrimination by Commissioner Jim Eckstein against chief clerk Amy Wilson.

Wilson in December filed a U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission complaint alleging that Eckstein discriminated against her based on her gender in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and she said she has suffered retaliation for reporting his conduct.

In response, Butler attorney Armand Cingolani, representing the county, asked for the complaint to be dismissed.

In her complaint, Wilson alleged that she has been subject to a hostile work environment, causing her emotional distress and mental anguish. She initially filed a sex discrimination complaint with the county in 2012, and said she has been subject to hostile behavior from Eckstein since then.

Cingolani wrote that the initial complaint with the county was dismissed, and he said Wilson has not defined the hostile or discriminatory conduct she is alleging.

Wilson, who has been chief clerk since 2012, claimed that Eckstein has shown similar behavior to other female employees.

The county’s response alleges that Eckstein has “made enemies” with males and female employees alike, and said that he criticizes these employees’ acts, not their sex.

Wilson said Eckstein filed a complaint with the state in May 2014 alleging abuse by Wilson of the county’s compensation policy. Wilson was cleared of wrongdoing, but Eckstein still went to the Butler Eagle to say he filed the complaint. She alleged that Eckstein has continued to publicly criticize her.

Cingolani wrote that Eckstein filed the complaint because of complaints received from taxpayers, and said allegations of serious wrongdoing are not relevant to a Title VII violation.

Wilson also alleged that Eckstein on Oct. 31, 2014, twice gave her written warnings, one alleging irresponsible use of vacation time and the other alleging she was not keeping county finances current.

The response said the two warnings were issued properly.

Cingolani alleges that, although Eckstein criticized Wilson, she has no chance of being fired by the county commissioners because commissioners Bill McCarrier and Dale Pinkerton praise her work.