News Detail
Thomas Obtains Verdict for Water Management District
(05/22/2006, Pennington News Release )
Michael J. Thomas, a shareholder of Pennington, Moore, Wilkinson Bell & Dunbar, recently obtained a defense verdict on behalf of the Northwest Florida Water Management District in a whistleblower case pending in Gadsden County, Florida.
The Plaintiff, a graphic artist, alleged that the Defendant District had eliminated her position due to her allegations of environmental contamination by District staff. The Plaintiff submitted a written memorandum to her supervisor outlining her suspected violations of environmental laws which were subsequently investigated by the District.
Five months after the investigation was completed, Plaintiff's position was eliminated. It was argued by defense counsel that the Plaintiff's position was eliminated based on budget cuts and the lack of future graphic artist needs and not in retaliation for her complaints of suspected environmental violations. The jury deliberated approximately 35 minutes before rendering their verdict in favor of the Northwest Florida Water Management District.