THE jury trial in the wrongful termination lawsuit filed in federal court by a woman against the CNMI government began on Monday.
Emerenciana Peter-Palican sued the government after she was terminated from her job at the Governor’s Developmental Disabilities Council. Peter-Palican also named as defendants the Council, its executive director and personnel director.
Peter-Palican, through attorney Douglas F. Cushnie, asked the court to issue a writ of mandamus compelling the government to immediately initiate procedures to reinstate her to her position with back pay, allowances and benefits.
She also asked the court to order the government to pay her compensatory damages in an amount to be proven at trial.
Cushnie stated in the complaint that during Peter-Palican’s employment with the Council, she was served with an adverse action for removal in 1997.
Cushnie said the action resulted in Peter-Palican’s termination of employment in Jan. 1998.
Assistant Attorney General Allan Dollison is representing the government.
