DELRAY BEACH, Fla. — The wastewater inspector who said she was fired by the Delray Beach Utilities Department for blowing the whistle on water contamination is taking her case to federal court.
Christine Ferrigan filed her federal lawsuit on Tuesday against the city of Delray Beach, city manager Terrence Moore and utility director Hassan Hadjimiry.
Ferrigan worked in wastewater management for more than 30 years until she was fired. That came after she raised concerns of contaminated drinking water to the Florida Department of Health and Palm Beach County Office of Inspector General. Ferrigan reported that partially-treated sewage water was contaminating people's drinking water and making some sick.
“Christine Ferrigan was trying to prevent a Delray Beach version of the Flint water crisis,” said Ezra Bronstein, an attorney representing Ms. Ferrigan. "The city’s decision to silence her rather than fix the water problems put the public at risk and discourages other city employees from speaking up about public health concerns.”
The 30-page federal court document states Ferrigan wants reinstatement, back pay, punitive damages, compensation for damage to her reputation, pain and suffering, and other damages.
Since 2018, the Delray Beach Utilities Department had received complaints that drinking water had a putrid smell and was dirty; some people were even getting sick from drinking the water. Ferrigan conducted a routine inspection and informed the management team that...
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