MONROE — Settlement negotiations are expected to begin soon in a case in which a former employee of Monroe’s wastewater treatment employee claims he was wrongfully terminated in early 2022 because he reported what he considers to be unauthorized sewage spills into Lake Erie during the fall of 2021.
Judge Matthew F. Leitman of U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan dismissed three of seven counts Nov. 30, one of which was a First Amendment retaliation charge against the city.
Still undecided, though, are First Amendment retaliation charges against three Monroe city officials: Barry Laroy, Monroe water and wastewater utilities director; Spencer Maniaci, Monroe wastewater treatment plant superintendent, and Peggy Howard, Monroe human resources director.
The judge also kept charges related to freedom of speech, the federal Whistleblower Protection Act, and Family and Medical Leave Act active, while dismissing one count of Family and Medical Leave Act retaliation, and workers’ compensation retaliation.
John Gillooly, a Detroit attorney who has been representing the city and the three named officials told The Blade on Thursday that the plaintiff, Nathan Carr, was warned several times he would lose his job if he did not pass a particular wastewater treatment examination.
“Carr was given every opportunity to continue his employment with the city of Monroe,” Mr. Gillooly said. “He was very well aware of the need [to pass the examination]. My belief is he did not...
A Senate Democrat has proposed a bill to repeal the federal Education Freedom Tax Credit, which passed in President Donald Trump’s budget bill last year. Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Arizona, made numerous ...