Gov. Charles W. Turnbull is facing his third wrongful-discharge suit from employees fired from government jobs after he took office.
Thirteen former employees in St. Thomas filed suit this week, seeking reinstatement, back wages and repayment of expenses they incurred from being fired, their attorney James Derr, told the media this week.
Derr said his clients worked for the Health, Tourism, Police, Planning and Natural Resources departments and the Office of Management and Budget, the Independent reported. One was terminated Feb. 2. Most were fired in what he called the "midnight massacre" of Feb. 18.
Former Democratic Party Chairwoman Marylyn Stapleton is one of the plaintiffs, as is Laura Hassell, former environmental health director in the Health Department, the Daily News reported.
Derr filed his suit in St. Croix to consolidate it with the two earlier suits filed by employees at Juan F. Luis Hospital, Planning and Natural Resources and Property and Procurement.
Those suing are nearly all Democrats who claim they were fired because they supported former Gov. Roy L. Schneider in the November election.