Fired CSB workers entitled to unemployment benefits

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) - The Virginia Employment Commission has ruled that at least three former employees forced out of the Norfolk Community Services Board (CSB) are entitled to unemployment benefits.

In September of last year, former CSB human resources officer Linda Berardi told WAVY.com that she did everything she could to resolve the matter involving Jill McGlone, a former CSB employee who remained on the payroll for 12 years, even though she never came to work.

Last week, the Virginia Employment Commission agreed with her saying that there was "absolutely no evidence" that Berardi engaged in any type of fraud, dishonesty, misrepresentation or deceit.

"She did her job. She did it well, and this is vindication for her," said Berardi's attorney Kevin Martingayle.

Martingayle represents Berardi in the defamation suit against the City of Norfolk.

"Because clearly her reputation was tarnished and smeared, publicly and unnecessarily and wrongfully," Martingayle added.

The city has filed a counter suit accusing Berardi and some of her former coworkers with fraud.

"I had concerns about this person being paid, so I brought it up to my new superior and I was disappointed," said former CSB employee Anthony Crisp.

Former clinical services director for the CSB, Anthony Crisp is one of Berardi's co-defendants in the city's case. He also has been awarded unemployment benefits by the employment commission's recent ruling.

Crisp is also one of Martingayle's clients suing Norfolk for defamation.

"It looks like there's a lot of litigation ahead," Martingayle said. "Hopefully common sense will prevail."

Maureen Womack, the current executive director of the Norfolk CSB, referred us to the city attorney's office for comment today but we were unable to reach them.