WEST VIRGINIA RECORD

CHARLESTON -- A former employee is suing Ntelos of West Virginia after she claims her employment was wrongfully terminated.

Amanda Doss and Pam McGowan, employees of Ntelos of West Virginia, were also named as defendants in the suit.

On April 27, Kathy J. Pauley was terminated from her employment at Ntelos of West Virginia after approximately six years of employment, according to a complaint filed Sept. 2 in Kanawha Circuit Court.

Pauley claims the defendant prepared a release agreement, which purported to provide her with a severance package in exchange for a "release and covenant not to sue" the defendants.

On May 16, Pauley signed the release agreement, according to the suit, but the release agreement "was not knowing and voluntary under West Virginia law and cannot serve to waive any right or claim under the West Virginia Human Rights Act."

Pauley claims the defendants terminated her employment because of her gender and caused her embarrassment and humiliation.

The defendants' actions violated the West Virginia Human Rights Act and were willful and malicious, according to the suit.

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

The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Carrie Webster.

Kanawha Circuit Court case number: 11-C-1524