Former unit road engineer files whistleblower lawsuit against Angelina County, commissioner
LUFKIN, Texas (KTRE) - Earlier this month, Chuck Walker, the former unit road engineer for Angelina County, filed a “whistleblower” lawsuit against the county and Pct. 3 Commissioner Terry Pitts. The lawsuit claims he was wrongfully fired after he reported alleged criminal behavior by Pitts.
Angelina County’s commissioners voted to fire Walker on March 22. The decision came after Walker was indicted on a charge of tampering with a government document.
Walker is accused of approving a false entry on an employee time sheet. However, he has claimed he was let go in retaliation.
Later, County Judge Don Lymbery and two county commissioners were arrested on allegations of violating the Texas Open Meetings Act.
After Walker’s termination, Angelina County citizens showed up at a commissioners’ court meeting to voice their displeasure about the decision to fire Walker and petition the commissioners to reverse their decision.
Walker’s attorney filed the lawsuit in the 201st Judicial District Court in Travis County on June 3. The lawsuit is also seeking actual damages, compensation for lost pay and benefits, “compensatory damages for future pecuniary loses,” exemplary damages, and attorney fees. Walker also wants to be reinstated as the Angelina County unit road engineer.
The lawsuit is asking that a civil penalty of $15,000 be imposed against any supervisor, including Pitts, that took an...
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