ORLANDO — An employee is suing an Apopka construction company, alleging retaliation and wrongful termination.
Tyronise Thornton filed a complaint Feb. 1 in Ofange County Circuit Court against Randall Mechanical Inc., alleging violation of the Florida's Private Sector Whistle-Blower Act.
According to the complaint, in March 2016 Thornton was hired by Randall as director of human resources and provided exemplary service, working tirelessly to ensure that the department was run legally and properly.
However, Thornton alleges, on multiple occasions she discovered that employees were using false Social Security numbers and falsified documents that she refused to condone. After reporting and notifying Randall of the violations, the lawsuit says, the defendant retaliated by terminating her employment Feb. 16, 2017.
The plaintiff alleges Randall Mechanical participated in the retaliatory personnel actions against Thornton because of her protected objections to and refusal to participate in violations of state and/or federal law, rules, and/or regulations.
Thornton seeks trial by jury, compensatory damages of more than $15,000, prejudgment interest, attorney fees, court costs, injunctive relief and all other just and proper relief. She is represented by attorneys Jill S. Schwartz and John M. Hunt of Jill S. Schwartz & Associates PA in Winter Park.
Orange County Circuit Court case number 19-CA-001371