Nathaniel Adams, director of St. Louis County's Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise program, has filed a lawsuit against the county alleging he was suspended for speaking out about poor management and conflicts within the program. The lawsuit claims that the county violated Missouri's whistleblower protection law by punishing him after he expressed concerns to the public at St.Louis County Council meetings. It alleges that the M/WBE program, intended to promote participation by minority and women-owned businesses in public contracts, is improperly placed within the Division of Procurement. Adams also proposed changes to make the M&WBE office independent from procurement. He is seeking damages of over $25,000.