(LEGAFI) -- A high-ranking ex-officer with the Georgia National Guard has filed a whistleblower lawsuit accusing his former employer of unfairly firing him in retaliation to him reporting issues of ethical misconduct among his superiors.

 

Brigadier General Larry Dudney is suing the Georgia National Guard, the state Department of Defense and the current and former head of the state National Guard for terminating him as revenge for exposing misconduct at his former military unit.

 

Dudney alleges in the whistleblower lawsuit that he attempted to raise concerns about the senior leadership of the National Guard that included "inappropriate and unethical conduct by senior officials, abuse of authority and discretion, undue command influence, improper endorsement of a product and services, misuse of government property, preferential treatment, suppressed investigation of a criminal matter and improper hiring practices."

 

According to his lawsuit, Dudney's supervisors ignored his claims, prompting him to submit a report detailing his concerns to the Department of Army Inspector General on August 15.

 

Less than a month later, Dudney was terminated. According to the whistleblower lawsuit, his firing was in "retaliation and revenge for his disclosure of violations and non-compliance with laws, rules and regulations to a government agency."

 

Whistleblower laws protect employees from retaliation by their employers, including termination, demotion, suspension, harassment and threats. These whistleblower protection rights are designed to encourage employees to halt, report or testify about illegal employer acts.

 

Dudney is seeking lost wages and benefits, including pension and retirement benefits; pain and suffering; mental/emotional distress; and reinstatement to his former job.