CHARLESTON — A former municipal employee is suing St. Albans agencies and officials, alleging fraud and wrongful termination.
Steven Hedrick of Kanawha County filed a lawsuit Sept. 12 in Kanawha Circuit Court against the St. Albans Municipal Utility Commission, the city of St. Albans, Patricia Priddy and Richard Callaway, alleging violation of the West Virginia Wage Payment and Collection Act.
According to the complaint, Hedrick, who was hired by the St. Albans Municipal Utility Commission in March, suffered injuries in a vehicular accident in May. The suit says he sought medical treatment in reliance that he is eligible for West Virginia Public Employee Insurance Agency medical coverage.
The lawsuit states PEIA denied Hedrick had medical coverage causing him financial damages for out-of-pocket medical expenses. The plaintiff alleges the defendants withheld his share of his PEIA medical plan premiums but failed and refused to remit those deductions, depriving him of medical coverage. The suit says Callaway terminated Hedrick's employment Aug. 24.
Hedrick seeks trial by jury, judgment against each defendant for unpaid wages and benefits, damages for his wrongful discharge, attorney fees, court costs and interest and all other relief. He is represented by attorney Mark A. Toor of Charleston.
Kanawha Circuit Court Case number 16-c-1389