Stephaliza Ngirameong through her counsel Mariano W. Carlos is seeking for compensatory damages for mental anguish, emotional distress, humiliation and embarrasment, unpaid salary and loss of earning; punitive damages, attorney’s fees and cost of suit and for other remedies as the court deems just.
The governor’s lawyer said they are now preparing their answer to the complaint and will file it in court soon.The plaintiff’s complaint stated that she was employed on April 1984 and continuing for a period of almost 25 years “until June 30, 2008 where she was wrongfully terminated.”At the time of her termination, plaintiff held the title Executive Secretary and was earning a salary of $14,059.50 per annum.In addition to her work, she was also assigned other work including accounting work because the State government had no accountant.The complaint stated that on June 3, plaintiff received a letter from Gov. Kodep asking her to submit a courtesy resignation.The plaintiff replied on June 5 and told the Governor that she would not submit a courtesy resignation because it is not applicable to her as a permanent employee.The plaintiff received another letter from the Governor on June 24 and terminated her employment.The Governor in his letter explained that “because of shortfall in the Melekeok State budget he had been asked to downsize the government operation, cut unnecessary expenses, cut working hours for all employees or layoff those employees that the State can continue to operate without.”The complaint stated that the termination was a retaliation against the plaintiff because she cooperated with the Special Prosecutor in the investigation against the Governor for misused of public funds.The complaint stated that plaintiff was an “outstanding longtime employee and was dedicated, hardworking and honest employee of the State.”
