WICHITA, Kan. (AP) – The Kansas secretary of state’s office has asked a judge to throw out the federal lawsuit filed by a former employee who claims she was fired for not attending Bible study sessions at the office.

Assistant Secretary of State Eric Rucker argued in a filing Thursday that Courtney Canfield cannot prove discrimination and any remaining claims are barred by sovereign immunity.

The state contends Canfield was terminated from her clerk’s job because of disruptive workplace behavior, poor attendance and excessive personal phone use – not because of “religious animus.”

Kansas contends that that the only evidence of religious discrimination is a statement Rucker allegedly made to another woman that Canfield was fired because she did not go to church. Rucker argues he was not the decision maker in her firing.