BERLIN — The Maryland Court of Special Appeals this month issued an opinion affirming the Worcester County Circuit Court’s dismissal of a wrongful termination lawsuit filed in 2012 by a former Berlin Fire Company supervisor against the town and its elected officials, but the plaintiff’s attorney has vowed to push forward with the case with an appeal to a higher court.
In May 2012, the town of Berlin terminated EMS supervisor Norris Phillip Donohoe, Jr. after 23 years on the job when at least two EMS employees filed formal complaints alleging workplace harassment and discrimination. In July 2012, Donohoe filed a civil suit against the Mayor and Council and then-Town Administrator Tony Carson seeking at least $200,000 in damages.
The complaint alleged Berlin officials did not have the authority to terminate, or even discipline Donohoe over allegations of harassment and discrimination. Instead, Donohoe claimed that authority wrested with his immediate supervisors, namely the fire chief and the fire company president. In October of 2012, visiting Worcester County Circuit Court Judge David Mitchell dismissed Donohoe’s civil suit against town officials, but Donohoe’s attorney Robin Cockey quickly filed an amended complaint that focused more on the former EMS supervisor’s termination than the disciplinary actions. Again, Mitchell dismissed the case, pointing out the town’s elected and appointed officials were protected by the doctrine of sovereign immunity.
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Cockey loses again!
ReplyDeleteOk so when is ENOUGH ENOUGH? The BS Civil Case was dismissed. Then you amend it and file again. Still not happy with the answer so gonna try to take it further! When does it stop! You do wrong, you get in trouble. Get over it!
ReplyDeleteNo this man is not wrong. People try suing any Govt. enity. They are protected by sovereign immunity. The Judge did not say there was no basis to the case. Govt. did what they do over and over. Govt. protected Govt. All that our fore fathers faught for has been twisted by Lawyers in black robes. The common man or back bone of this country does not stand a chance in a court room with any form of Govt.
ReplyDeleteI do not know circumstances here but the guy was dead in the water before he started.
Now you know why the O.C. Police and Wicomico County Deputies have collective bargaining. Power breeds corruption. Hang all the politicians
Poor Robin Cockey. He's not the great attorney that everyone thinks he is.
ReplyDeleteI wonder how much this is costing Donohoe?