Estimated read time: Less than a minute
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
NAMPA, Idaho (AP) — A federal judge has narrowed the claims in a whistleblower case against the Idaho Department of Labor, but indicated he'll likely allow the case to go to a jury trial.
The Idaho Press-Tribune reports that U.S. District Judge Lynn Winmill rejected a motion from the state to dismiss the case.
The state claims former department purchasing agent James Cryer was pressing a personal grudge, not exercising First Amendment-protected free speech, when he complained about purchasing and personnel violations at the department.
After Cryer's concerns went unaddressed, he sent seven anonymous emails pressing them.
The department responded by issuing a subpoena to determine who sent the emails, and when Cryer was identified, he was fired.
The 28-yesar state employee was two years short of full retirement.
The department's lawyer told the court Friday the department saw Cryer's final email as a threat.
___
Information from: Idaho Press-Tribune, http://www.idahopress.com
Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
