Fired library worker files whistleblower suit
Ton Cremers (Museum Security Network / MuSeCo)
By Emma Perez-Trevino, The Brownsville Herald
July 10, 2008 - 10:04PM
A public library is known for its quiet.
However, a rumble is stirring at the Brownsville Public Library after
allegations of credit card abuse and theft of food.
The accusations are contained in a whistleblower lawsuit former employee
Irma Coleman filed against the city of Brownsville Wednesday in the 404th
District Court.
Coleman claims she was fired May 30 from the library's food booth after
reporting that supervisors charged steaks, pillows and juices to city credit
cards at taxpayers' expense.
"That is patently false," library Director of Public Information Services
Jerry Hedgecock said Thursday. "Ms. Coleman was fired for theft of city
property."
Hedgecock said the alleged theft involved food items from the cafe at the
Southmost branch.
Coleman's lawsuit alleges she was accused of eating seven candy bars and a
package of CornNuts within a month and not paying for them, an accusation
she denies.
"She did nothing wrong," her attorney John Shergold said. "We will zealously
defend her rights."
The lawsuit cites the whistleblower provision in the Texas Government Code,
which provides that a governmental entity cannot suspend, fire or retaliate
against an employee who in good faith reports a violation to law
enforcement.
According to the petition, Coleman received a letter from Library Services
Director Jerry Salazar on May 12, alleging that she violated city policy.
She was given notice of a pre-disciplinary hearing on May 27.
In the interim, Coleman's petition states, she contacted Brownsville police
on May 23 and reported the alleged misuse of credit cards and that she had
seen some staff failing to pay for food from the food booth.
Shergold said Coleman felt compelled to report this information to police
after being falsely accused.
Coleman's petition states that no evidence was presented against her at the
May 27 hearing.
She was fired May 30 and City Manager Charles Cabler upheld her termination
June 25, according to the lawsuit.
Coleman's allegations were investigated, Cabler said Thursday.
"For now, we don't see anything to substantiate her allegations," Cabler
said. "If she has more information, we are open to any and all information."
Coleman's lawsuit seeks injunctive relief, reinstatement to her former
position, legal expenses and unspecified monetary damages from the city.