 | |||
Firm News | |||
| Consultation Request |
Ruling favors ex-PIC workers By Richard Whitt rwhitt@ajc.com A U.S. District Court jury, after deliberating all day Wednesday, found in favor of three fired city of Atlanta employees in their lawsuit against the city. The jury will meet Thursday to assess damages. Former Private Industry Council employees Sara Thomas, Reynold Holborough and Edward K. Coachman claimed that the city violated their free speech rights guaranteed under the U.S. and Georgia constitutions. The employees claimed they were fired in January 1998 after they repeatedly complained to their superiors about improper and possibly illegal activities by other PIC employees. They cooperated in an audit by the state Department of Labor that was highly critical of the PIC operation. During the weeklong trial, the three testified that fellow PIC workers campaigned for Atlanta Mayor Bill Campbell during working hours. Thomas and Coachman also said they were pressured by PIC Director Reka Eaton to make contributions to the Campbell campaign. Holborough testified that he got into trouble with Eaton because he complained about favorable treatment of PIC contractors who had close ties to the mayor. Eaton has denied she pressured Thomas and Coachman to make contributions to the Campbell campaign. The state Department of Labor cut off funding to PIC in February 1998 citing numerous financial and program deficiencies. The Private Industry Council program funnels federal dollars through the state to local governments to help train underprivileged and unemployed workers new skills. The parties in the suit remain under a gag order until after the damage phase. Law Offices of Debra E. Schwartz, LLC, 945 E. Paces Ferry Road, Suite 1770, Atlanta GA 30326
Phone: 404-842-7262 Fax: 404-842-7277, E-Mail des@GAEmploymentLawyers.com | ||