Wright v. Ada County
Annotate this CaseRichard Wright was hired in 2006 by Ada County as the Public Information Officer. In 2008, Wright became the Director of Administrative Services, a position he held until 2009 when it was reclassified to Director of the Department of Administration in Ada County. That reclassification was the result of the Administrative Services being reorganized into the Department of Administration. This case came before the Idaho Supreme Court on appeal of a district court’s decision granting summary judgment to Ada County on Wright’s employment-related claims. After Wright was terminated from his employment with Ada County, he filed suit alleging, among other claims, that he was terminated in violation of the the Idaho Protection of Public Employees Act (the Whistleblower Act) and the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Wright alleged that he was terminated in retaliation for the investigation he ordered into an employee who had been accused of workplace harassment. Alternatively, Wright alleged he was terminated in retaliation for his investigation into hostile work environment claims received from another Ada County employee. Wright amended his complaint to include negligent and intentional infliction of emotional distress claims. Ada County moved the district court for summary judgment on all claims, which the district court granted. Finding that the district court erred in granting summary judgment on Wright's Whistleblower and negligent infliction of emotional distress claims, the Supreme Court reversed. The Court affirmed the district court in all other respects and remanded this case for further proceedings.
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