Fired Office Director Sues Governor Mary Fallin

Fired office director sues Gov. Mary Fallin

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Credit State of Oklahoma-File Photo

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Republican Governor Mary Fallin's office is declining comment on a lawsuit filed by a woman who ran the governor's Tulsa office until being fired two months ago.

Wendy Gregory says she was wrongfully fired in December after Fallin's chief of staff learned the IRS had once garnished Gregory's wages. Federal law prohibits the firing of someone just because they've had a single garnishment.

Fallin spokesman Alex Weintz says the governor's office hasn't seen the complaint. Oklahoma law gives the office 20 days after receiving the petition to answer it.

Gregory says she ran the office for about two years with no complaints before being abruptly dismissed.

The lawsuit names Fallin and chief of staff Denise Northrup. It seeks back pay and at least $20,000 in actual and punitive damages.