CHARLESTON - A Putnam County man has filed a suit against the City of Dunbar and the Dunbar Sanitary Board, his former employers, claiming he was wrongfully fired because he was a whistleblower.
William Coles Jr. filed a suit April 10 in Kanawha Circuit Court, claiming he was fired because he raised questions about certain activities in the office, including the misuse of public funds.
The suit says Coles was an employee who consistently performed his duties well and met his employers' expectations. However, he was fired on Nov. 29, 2006.
According to the lawsuit, Coles claims he was fired because he has previously raised questions about numerous improper activities by the city and sanitary board, including the misuse of public funds and resources in violation of the public policy of West Virginia.
Coles claims he is entitled to damages because he was embarrassed, humiliated and suffered emotional distress. He also claims he has suffered, and will continue to suffer, lost wages and benefits.
Coles, through attorney Mark A. Atkinson, seeks damages set forth in his complaint, as well as punitive damages.
The case has been assigned to Judge Irene Berger.
Kanawha Circuit Court case number 07-C-699
Former Dunbar worker says he was fired for blowing whistle
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