BECKLEY – A former instructor for a college nursing program alleges she was terminated after reporting students were cheating on a exam.
Karen L. Winkfield filed a complaint July 27 in Raleigh Circuit Court against New River Community and Technical College alleging violation of the West Virginia Human Rights Act and whistle-blower laws.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff was hired by the defendant as a part-time clinical staff in February 2014 and became full-time instructor in 2016 for the defendant's nursing program. She alleges she informed her direct supervisor in November 2016 that she observed nursing students cheating on exams. The suit states she received a written warning and reassignment of duties in January and was terminated in June.
The plaintiff holds New River Community and Technical College responsible because the defendant allegedly retaliated against her and terminated her employment because of her report and also subjected her to disparate treatment because of her race.
The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks reinstatement, back wages, front pay and other benefits, attorney's fees, costs and any further relief she may be entitled to receive. She is represented by Dwight J. Staples and Gail Henderson-Staples of Henderson, Henderson & Staples LC in Huntington. The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge John A. Hutchison.
Raleigh Circuit Court Case number 17-C-423