Herbst Sued by Future Brother-in-Law, Past Trumbull Employee

TRUMBULL, CT — First Selectman Tim Herbst has been sued in an individual capacity by his future brother-in-law Jesse Jablon, who alleges that Herbst fired him from his town position and interfered with his efforts to obtain other employment, according to a lawsuit.

Jablon worked temporarily as chief administrator officer while Herbst's chief of staff was out on maternity leave, according to the lawsuit.

Jablon alleges that Herbst terminated his employment on Dec. 7, 2013 solely because he was dating Herbst's sister.

Herbst has formed an exploratory committee for an elected state office position and has set his sights on governor, according to the Hartford Courant.

The lawsuit goes on to allege that Herbst interfered with Jablon's efforts to get a job with the City of Ansonia. It also alleges that Herbst met with an employee at Enterprise Car Sales where Jablon works and said that Jablon was a drug dealer.

The lawsuit seeks more than $15,000 in damages.

Herbst denied interfering with Jablon's job search and shared emails with the Connecticut Post that he says proves he wasn't hired for an information technology job because he wasn't qualified. He also stood by his decision to fire Jablon due to a conflict of interest in having his sister's boyfriend work in his administration.

He didn't comment to the Connecticut Post about the allegation that he accused Jablon of being a drug dealer and accused state Democrats of trying to personally attack him as he seeks state office.

Patch file photo