Breaking: RSU/FHU President Joe Wiley Sued for Wrongful Termination (Again!)
14January 16, 2008 by Tyson Wynn
UPDATE (1/18/2008; 2:50 PM): As previously reported, I contacted both the FHU and RSU media offices for a comment on this latest lawsuit. I left a voicemails and sent an email to both institutions. Just to follow up, here is my email to FHU. Here is my email to RSU. I received a read receipt from the FHU media rep, Jud Davis, indicating that he read my request at 10:23 AM (Central), Thursday, January 17, 2008. I have received nothing from RSU. That means that Brent Ortolani at RSU is either not checking his email, or he has checked it and declined my request for a read receipt. In any case, neither institution has chosen to respond.
***
UPDATE (1/16/2008; 4:56 PM): I contacted both the RSU and FHU media/news offices today via telephone and email to allow both institutions to make an official comment on this news. Neither Brent Ortolani at RSU nor Jud Davis at FHU responded to emails or voicemails as of this update.
***Original Post Below***
Thanks to an alert commenter on the WynnBlog, I was alerted to a new lawsuit having just been filed in Rogers County District Court. I made a quick run to the courthouse this morning to get details.
It seems that Marilyn Goff has had been employed by RSU for over 15 years. She was fired in October of 2007. The petition to the court, filed Jan. 14, 2008, states:
“The stated reason for plaintiff’s termination was that she couldn’t get along with people…”
I know it usually takes over 15 years for me to determine that someone can’t get along with people.
The suit also alleges:
“Defendants Hukill and Wiley utterly, completely, and totally failed to provide Plaintiff procedural due process prior to her termination…”
Seems like we’ve heard that before. Looks like old habits die hard, allegedly.
Other details in the petition allege that Goff communicated with RSU/OU counsel in regards to another lawsuit/complaint (is anyone keeping track of how many suits have originated during the Wiley administration?), after being assured her cooperation would not be used in retaliation against her. Goff alleges that Wiley and Hukill did just that, even referencing an internal document prepared by Hukill that admonished Goff for
“improper contact”
with RSU counsel. Further allegations are that Wiley and Hukill operated in a
“cloud of secrecy.”
Deja vu!
Maybe one of the most troubling allegations is that upon her termination, Goff was denied pay for her accrued annual leave until and unless she signed a
“general release and settlement agreement”
which included a gag order (which Goff contends is in violation of the Open Records Act).
Goff is represented by Brendan McHugh of Claremore.
Click here to see the PDF of the petition to the court.
Category Joe Wiley, Oklahoma, RSU | Tags: FHU, Freed-Hardeman, Joe Wiley, lawsuit, Marilyn Goff, RSU, Sheree Hukill
14 comments
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[...] Breaking: RSU/FHU President Joe Wiley Sued for Wrongful Termination (Again!) [...]
How many times can this happen and ruin someone
lives? Glad to see someone is standing up to
them and maybe they will get what is coming
to them. Go for it Marilyn
[...] I considered emailing RSU’s Director of Public Relations, Brent Ortolani, for comment but he refused to acknowledge receipt of or reply to a previous attempt for comment, so it would be an exercise in futility. I’ll just let some folks he might consider [...]
Is there anyway to get an online “petition” of sorts so RSU can know how many folks in Rogers county and Claremore are interested in the information you are trying to extract (like teeth it appears) from RSU about these wrongful terminations?
Jeff we have been begging! As long as this place is locked up by the Police Chief, Stratton Taylor, Dan Boren, etc. There is no hope. [Redacted] says he will try to help and the OIG has asked for information but…people here live from paycheck to paycheck in a lot of cases and can’t afford ot make waves.
Rice may or not be an agent for the better. rumor is he has big problems of his own and may be distracted. This is not a good start. Whiffs of Wiley are still lingering as long as Volturo is still controlling EVERYTHING. There may be some BIG problems in the Financial Aid office but, that can of worms is not even seen yet. Don’t know, just don’t know.
When we write the story that can finally come out about this, it should follow the story line of the late great novel and ancient myth…
Bon fire of the Vanities… see how all the little people following their own petty little grievances cause so much harm to so many people. Only good can intervene and who knows what damage will be done before this is all over. There are many villians here. Joe Wiley, Tom Volturo, all the nitter-nattering women who are trying to rid themselves of those they are jealous of, a Phillistine do-gooder who is naieve enough to believe the gaggle of gooses. So on it goes, Bon fire of the Vanities.
Somebody needs to put the screws to the Financial aid guy and QUICK before it’s too late. He has actually had experience with how to cover and rock and roll on evil and corruption. I’d say watch your back pocket and watch him for Volturo’s finger prints.
this “shut up and sign” thing seems to be almost a “cut and paste” job with RSU. I have experienced up close and personal the breath and evil eye of Tom Volturo on my spine and career. it’s a chiller. Others are right to speak here openly to the public of the fear that accompanies the wake of Wiley. Where does the sewer pipe lead? Perhaps all the way to Boren’s office? Only God himself knows and it seems he moved in Wiley’s U-Haul.
It has come to my attention (from Dr. Wiley himself) that Joe Wiley reads this blog nearly every day. Dr. Wiley, may god forgive you for what you have done here. I am praying for you and for Tom Volturo, Linda Andrews and all the others who have been caught up in the web that you have built. Perhaps some people have been in it so long they don’t realize the gray, heart strangling, depression that comes from the kind of dictatorial, selfishness that you inflicted on this learning community. Please, may God send you, your broken spawn, Tommy, and all the rest of your stench with you and please let it happen soon. again, I pray that I can somehow learn to forgive you for the harm you have done to so many people. Let me count the ways: Fellman, Parrish, Rutledge, Finley, Manes, Lawless, Goff, and so many others. We also pray for Larry Minks, Linda Andrews, Toby Titsworth, Mark Meadors,Larry Rice, Sara Schoenefeld: the people so intent on carrying the water for you. You are a sad piece of humanity. If being a Christian means following Joe Wiley, let God come today and redeem once again his holy name.
Add Savant, Ashlock, Riddle, Baldridge, Agee, Whitehead, Gentry, and there are yet others whose names can’t be mentioned because they desperately need a paycheck. At his new job, Wiley proclaims to be “all about sharing the love of Christ.” For the love of Christ! The man himself has pulled off the biggest miracle of all by making himself invisible to those who have the power to hold him accountable. It’s a sad, sad state of affairs in education, poltics, and religion. God may forgive him; I won’t.
this “shut up and sign” thing seems to be almost a “cut and paste” job with RSU. I have experienced up close and personal the breath and evil eye of Tom Volturo on my spine and career. it’s a chiller. Others are right to speak here openly to the public of the fear that accompanies the wake of Wiley. Where does the sewer pipe lead? Perhaps all the way to Boren’s office? Only God himself knows and it seems he moved in Wiley’s U-Haul.
Tyson–I hear the same thing has happened to the
last Bit by Bit Director- would you please check
into this and give out some info. Also what about
the workers, are they still coming in or is that
a problem to. Somebody must know what goes on
down there.
The latest director got mad and just quit. The classes are still running like usual. The instructors are doing good despite all that has been going on apparently behind the scenes.
To Parents:
So classes are conducted as usual-does that mean
the instructors have Special Education background.
When working with special needs children-that
should be a must. Has anyone at Bit by Bit had
special training? If I were to bring a child there, that would be my first question along with
many more. I would like a answer this and also
what is going on behind the scenes???