Federal whistleblower lawsuit filed just weeks before a recent fire claims that safety concerns were never addressed.
CHALMETTE, La. — A former employee of Chalmette Refining is speaking publicly for the first time after filing a federal whistleblower lawsuit against the refinery and its parent company, PBF Holding, alleging he was fired for raising safety and environmental concerns.
Glynn Montelongo, who says he has worked at the refinery since 1996, served as a lead inspector for the plant’s mechanical integrity program before his termination in March 2025. According to Montelongo, he repeatedly reported safety violations and concerns about corrosion and mechanical integrity — issues he claims were ignored.
“I felt cheated, to be honest,” Montelongo said of his firing. “My belief is I was only doing my job.”
The lawsuit, filed March 20, alleges violations under Louisiana environmental whistleblower protections and federal laws protecting employees who provide pipeline safety information. Montelongo claims his termination was directly tied to his complaints, with the suit stating he had no prior notices of "performance deficiencies" until his termination.
“It’s 100% the reason for my termination,” he said.
Less than three weeks after the lawsuit was filed, a fire broke out at the Chalmette Refining plant. While the fire remains under investigation, it's unclear whether it was connected to the concerns raised in the lawsuit. Montelongo said he was not shocked by the...
In recent days, false information has circulated on social media, falsely presented as statements issued by official institutions regarding prevailing weather conditions across the island. In respo...