Lolita Gibbons-Decherong through her lawyer Yukiwo P. Dengokl filed a complaint for declaratory judgment and for other relief against Tutoud Ngiralmau and Koror Planning Commission on August 21.
Gibbons-Decherong is seeking for damages and attorney’s fees and an order from the court declaring her a permanent employee of the Koror State; that she is entitled to return to work; that her employment with the State has not been terminated and the defendants actions are void and without legal basis.Gibbons-Decherong was hired by the Koror State as a Senior Planning officer for the Planning Commission in November 30, 2005.The complaint stated that on July 10, 2009, Vice Chairperson Tutoud Ngiralmau wrote the plaintiff a letter informing her of the department’s intention to terminate her employment.Ngiralmau stated in his letter that Gibbons-Decherong’s contract ended on October 30, 2007 and were not employed by the Koror State as of October 31, 2007.The plaintiff was advised to return the office keys, files and properties of the Koror Planning Commission and to remove all her belongings.The complaint stated that Ngiralmau advised plaintiff that she would be eligible for pay up until September 10, 2009 but need not to report to work and to be paid for any accrued leave.Ngiralmau’s letter stated that nine months later after Gibbons-Decherong’s employment contract ended, a personnel action form signed by Chairman Salvador Tellames of the Koror Planning Commission, increased her salary from $22, 984 annually to $25,000 annually.The letter stated that Gibbons-Decherong new title is Building and Zoning Officer and the effective date of the new title and salary is June 5, 2008.Ngiralmau stated in his letter that “it is unclear” if Gibbons-Decherong were employed from October 31, 2007 until June 4, 2008 before she became “permanent” on June 5, 2008.“That personnel action form was superseded by another personnel action form that became effective on June 10, 2008,” Ngiralmau’s letter to Decherong stated.The letter further stated that Gibbons-Decherong employment status was contractual and not permanent.The letter added that since June 10, 2008 until July 10, 2009, Gibbons-Decherong employment status has not been in compliance with any personnel or employment regulations or procedures of the Koror State government.
