Editor Sues Montana Newspaper Over Wrongful Discharge Claim

The former editor of the Missoulian has sued the publisher of the Montana newspaper and its owner, Lee Enterprises Inc., claiming wrongful discharge.

Sherry Devlin’s lawsuit says she was demoted in April; her pay was cut nearly in half; she was replaced by a younger and less experienced man; and her work conditions were made so intolerable that she was forced to resign in November after 30 years at the paper.

She is seeking unspecified actual damages, unpaid overtime, punitive damages and attorney’s costs.

Current editor Matt Bunk declined comment in an email due to the legal nature of the matter. Publisher Mark Heintzelman did not immediately return a voicemail seeking comment.

The lawsuit said Devlin was performing her job satisfactorily when Heintzelman was named publisher in 2014. Within days, she said, he suggested they start working on her exit strategy.