MARION COUNTY, MO. -- UPDATED:  June 3 at 12:00 p.m.

Judge Rachel Bringer released the following statement:

"I have referred the matter to both the Office of the Missouri Attorney General and my attorney, both of whom will be defending the case.  Both have advised me that I should not comment on any pending litigation."

The Hannibal Courier-Post reports that C. John Pleban, the St. Louis attorney for former 10th Judicial Circuit secretary Lynn Helbing, says his client is looking forward to her day in court.

Click here to read more of that story at Hannibal.net.

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A secretary who was fired by Judge Rachel Bringer in northeast Missouri last Friday is now suing for wrongful termination.

KHQA received the complaint from a St. Louis law firm late Wednesday afternoon.

The complaint reads that Lynn Helbing worked as secretary to the presiding judge for the 10th Judicial Circuit for the past 20 years without incident or discipline until Bringer was sworn in last December.

Helbing says she was berated and criticized by Judge Bringer repeatedly, so much so that Helbing had to take family medical leave in February due to the deterioration of her physical and mental health.

There are several examples listed in the complaint, which you can find in its entirety by clicking here.

Helbing accuses Bringer of creating a hostile work environment and eventually firing Helbing when she didn't quit.

Pleban & Petruska Law LLC, a St. Louis law firm representing Helbing, also sent KHQA Exhibit 1 and Exhibit 2.

KHQA's Rajah Maples called Judge Bringer earlier this evening to get her side of the story but was unable to reach her or leave a message.  We will continue to follow up on this story Thursday, so check this story later and watch KHQA's News at Five, KHQA's Evening News at 6 p.m. and KHQA's Late News at 10 p.m.