Scranton, Pa., mayor Paige Cognetti, the Democratic nominee for Pennsylvania's Eighth Congressional District, tentatively settled a lawsuit brought by a former city employee alleging that she was fired after facing a "campaign of harassment, intimidation, and unfounded and unfair scrutiny" for supporting Cognetti's past political opponent, according to court filings.
Virginia Flynn, who worked for Scranton government for 15 years until she was terminated in 2023, sued Cognetti and the city in 2024, accusing them of engaging in a "concerted and persistent effort … to discriminate and retaliate against" her and creating a "hostile work environment" following her vocal support for Cognetti's 2019 mayoral opponent, Chris Cullen. Flynn alleged that she was punished for punching in as little as one minute late—even though she has told supervisors about time clock issues—and for performance issues outside of her control, resulting in unfounded warnings, suspensions, and a performance improvement plan leading up to her termination.
Flynn argued that Cognetti "was aware of this ongoing scrutiny and criticism." At one point, Cognetti said to Flynn's son, state senator Marty Flynn, a critic of Cognetti, "can't you just get your mom a state job and get her out of the City," according to the lawsuit.
"Defendants conspired with others to retaliate against Mrs. Flynn because she exercised her First Amendment free association and free speech rights … and her exercise of free speech in support of Mr. Cullen," the suit alleges.
Flynn also alleged she was discriminated against due to her age, gender, disability, and involvement with a union. In one instance, Flynn received a verbal warning for clocking in "1 minute to 4 minutes late on several occasions," though her supervisors knew she "had frequent difficulty punching in because of issues with the time clock." According to the suit, "other employees were not disciplined for such de minimis infractions." She said she was later punished for clocking out early one day, even though she had received permission to leave for a dental appointment.
The suit also alleges that Flynn's supervisors would "unfairly scrutinize her work and threaten her with termination even for minor or non-existent infractions" while she was performing the duties of two jobs. Flynn, for example, was ordered to process a certain number of checks each day, yet she said the amount she was able to process depended on the amount that her office received.
Cognetti and the city tried to dismiss the case, but a judge appointed by former president Joe Biden dismissed the motion in November 2024, ruling that the allegations of political retaliation "set forth a pattern of antagonism coupled with timing to establish a causal link as with the plaintiff's other retaliation claims." As the case was headed for discovery, Flynn, who requested relief such as backpay, loss of benefits, and "compensatory damages for pain, suffering, and humiliation," filed an unopposed motion in July 2026 requesting an extension. The filing notes the "parties are currently engaging in settlement discussions."
Scranton city solicitor Jessica Eskra told the Washington Free Beacon through a spokesman that the "parties to this action have tentatively reached an agreement to resolve this matter without any admission of liability in order to avoid the costs of further litigation. The City's insurance will cover the majority of any funds due as a result of the settlement agreement."
Details of the settlement are unclear, as is whether taxpayers will have to foot the remainder of the funds due in addition to the insurance premiums. The spokesman did not respond to follow-up inquiries.
The suit is the latest instance of Cognetti facing accusations of improper behavior as mayor amid her race for a promotion to Congress. She has centered her congressional campaign on her record as mayor, saying on her campaign website that she "reformed the office" by "battling corruption in City Hall," yet she has she has faced criticism from residents and city council members over a $1.9 million deal she brokered to purchase the old Scranton headquarters of Fidelity Bank. Cognetti's uncle-in-law sits on the bank's board, all nine members of which have contributed to Cognetti's campaign.
She also used her position to make a stretch of the street she lives on one-way without properly notifying the city council of the change, the Free Beacon reported. Residents said the new traffic pattern caused dangerous near-accidents, with one pointing to a neighbor whose "daughter was almost hit head on." A local trucking company said the change is costing it money since its vehicles can no longer use that street, and the road the company is now supposed to take is not big enough to accommodate the trucks.
