Man says he was fired for threatening to report boss' conduct

MORGANTOWN – A Mount Morris man claims he was fired because he threatened to report alleged misconduct by the director of Catholic Charities West Virginia.

James Todd Green filed a lawsuit against the charity in Monongalia Circuit Court, claiming Terri M. Kinney fired him only after he threatened to report to the Catholic Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston that Kinney was altering guidelines so people who wouldn't otherwise qualify for assistance would qualify.

Green says he was hired as a case manager for Child Care Resource Center in Morgantown in Sept. 2005 as a case manager. He was promoted to supervisor for Monongalia and Marion counties in June 2006, the complaint says.

Sometime in December 2007, Green claims he noticed that Kinney was allegedly altering the financial guidelines. Green says he told Kinney that he was concerned that the practice violated state and federal laws as well as Catholic Charities policy.

Kinney told Green not to worry about it, the complaint says.
Green claims he against expressed concern to Kinney in June 2008 and September 2008. The last time, Green claims he told Kinney he intended to report her alleged activities to the executive director of the state's Catholic Diocese.

Green says Kinney began filing "false" and "misleading" disciplinary documents against him over the month of October 2008. Then, Kinney fired him on Oct. 28, citing the write-ups. Green claims the documents were a pretext used to get rid of him.

Green's complaint says he's protected under whistleblower laws. He claims that his being fired has cost him wages and benefits, and has caused him mental suffering, embarrassment and anguish.

He's seeking reinstatement to his position, or, in the alternative, compensated for future lost wages, plus punitive damages and pre- and post-judgment interest on any award.

Kelly R. Reed, of Morgantown, is representing Green.

Monongalia Circuit Court case number: 09-C-94