A case involving a former Western staffer who claims she was forced to retire early has been moved to Franklin Circuit Court.

Elizabeth Esters, who worked as staff assistant to President Gary Ransdell and secretary to the Board of Regents, is suing Western for $44,617.80.

The lawsuit was dismissed from Warren County Circuit Court this morning, said Deborah Wilkins, chief of staff and general counsel.

Wilkins said all lawsuits involving contractual allegations go the Franklin Circuit Court.

Last month, Western officials received a copy of a complaint in which Esters claimed Ransdell told her to “go on and retire” halfway through the 2008-2009 academic year.

The complaint stated that her early retirement was a breach of contract.

Western attorneys filed a motion on Oct. 20 to dismiss the case.

Wilkins said she’s confident that Western’s attorneys will prove that no such contract exists.

Western attorneys have argued that Esters’ contract was oral and doesn’t have the same merit in court as a written contract.

Steven Downey, Esters’ attorney, could not be immediately reached for comment.