A Florida House member has gone to an appeals court after a judge refused to dismiss a lawsuit alleging that she retaliated against a former aide who reported misconduct.

Rep. Kimberly Daniels, D-Jacksonville, filed a notice of appeal last week in the lawsuit filed by Karen Riggien, a former legislative aide to Daniels who was fired in 2018. Daniels, who is represented by House attorneys, contends that she should be shielded from the lawsuit because of what is known as "qualified immunity" for public officials.

Leon County Circuit Judge Kevin Carroll on March 26 rejected a motion by Daniels to dismiss the case, allowing the dispute to move forward. Daniels' notice of appeal went to the First District Court of Appeal on Thursday.