Kanawha man claims wrongful termination

CHARLESTON -- A Kanawha County man is suing his former employer after he claims his employment was wrongfully terminated.

Simons Petroleum, Inc.; Petroleum Fueling, Inc.; Petroleum Products, Inc.; and Petroleum Transport, Inc., all doing business as Maxum Petroleum; and Glen Summers, an employee of Maxum Petroleum, were named as defendants in the suit.

Justin Terwilliger was employed by the defendants for approximately six years until that employment was terminated on Nob. 16, 2010, according to a complaint filed April 14 in Kanawha Circuit Court.

Terwilliger claims he always consistently performed his duties in a satisfactory manner and met the defendants' reasonable expectations during his employment.

The defendants' actions constituted unlawful retaliatory discharge motivated by issues in violation of the substantial public policy of West Virginia, according to the suit.

Terwilliger claims the defendants terminated his employment in retaliation for stating that he would give "truthful testimony in another legal action against the defendants if called upon to testify."

The defendants' actions caused Terwilliger indignity, embarrassment and humiliation, according to the suit.

Terwilliger is seeking compensatory and punitive damages with pre-judgment interest. He is being represented by Mark A. Atkinson.

The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge James C. Stucky.

Kanawha Circuit Court case number: 11-C-614