Aument is one of 76 BRT patronage workers, a group of administration assistants that has been exempt from city civil-service rules that ban political activity because they have been paid by the School District and not the city itself.
In December, Nutter said those workers would have to pass a civil-service exam and give up political activities to be eligible to keep their jobs.
Aument said she should not have to choose between her $36,000-a-year position and her role as a ward leader.
"The only people that are getting hurt at the BRT are the school board employees, and we are the only people who have nothing to do with the assessments," Aument, a 29-year employee, said in an interview. "We're the scapegoats. There's no other way to put it."
The lawsuit, filed by lawyer Samuel C. Stretton, contends that the takeover is illegal because it was not approved by City Council or voters, as the bill that would abolish the BRT calls for.
"It's meaningless until Council votes and the voters approve it," Stretton said. "Board members who are participating in this have abdicated their responsibilities and may be guilty of malfeasance in office.
"You can't say 'we're still members, we'll still take our pay, but you do the work.' "
Negrin and Nutter said they had not read the suit. BRT member Robert Nix III, who has spoken on behalf of the board in recent months, did not return a message seeking comment.
Read "Tax Travesty: Chaos and Cronyism Inside the BRT" and search for current property values at
Contact staff writer Patrick Kerkstra at 215-854-2827 or pkerkstra@phillynews.com.
