FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WOWO): A local election official is accused of pressuring employees into personal political gains.

A report says Wayne Township Trustee Richard Stevenson forced employees to participate in political activities during work hours, according to the News Sentinel. Roosevelt Johnson, director of building, grounds and equipment and safety for the Wayne Township Trustee’s office, made a tort claim in January.

Johnson also says Stevenson ordered employees to participate in his unsuccessful campaign for the Democratic mayoral nomination in 2015. He also says Stevenson retaliated against him after he became aware that such actions were illegal and refused to participate.

Attorney Mark GiaQuinta tells the News Sentinel that Johnson’s allegations are baseless. Records indicate that employees who attended Stevenson’s filing announcement in February of last year did it on their own time. However Johnson says he was required by Stevenson to attend non-job related activities that were political.