Fired county worker gets her job back

Adrienne Packer

Friday, Sept. 22, 2000 | 11:19 a.m.

The Clark County manager's office rescinded the termination of an assistant recorder today after an early-morning meeting that included the district attorney's office and county recorder Judith Vandever.

Colleen Lamuraglia, 36, who was fired by Vandever last week just hours after she filed for maternity leave and time off for military duty, will return to the county Monday and be transferred to a different department.

Clark County spokesman Doug Bradford would not elaborate on this morning's meeting or discuss what led to the decision to bring Lamuraglia back.

Lamuraglia, who is six months pregnant, filled out paperwork for the Family Medical Leave Act a week ago. She also put in paperwork to take one week off for her annual tour with the military.

She said Vandever initially approved her military leave, but then disapproved it, saying the county office is too shorthanded and behind in its work to lose Lamuraglia for a week. Earlier this week, Vandever said the firing was performance related.

Lamuraglia, who has been in the military for 18 years, complained to the human resources division. Human resources representatives met with Vandever that afternoon and shortly before 5 p.m., Lamuraglia was fired.

Her termination infuriated Clark County commissioners.

"Any time we hear allegations of employees being fired because of maternity leave or leave for military purposes, it causes great concern to me and should cause great concern to the rest of the commission," Commissioner Dario Herrera said Thursday.

Lamuraglia, who could not be reached for comment today, said word of her firing had reached the Pentagon by Thursday morning. She said this week that she is seriously considering a lawsuit against the county.

Lamuraglia is considered an "at will" employee, meaning she was hired by Vandever, not the county. County policy says at will employees who are terminated are to be given 15 days notice. Lamuraglia said she was asked to leave the day she was fired.