No-show CSB worker focus of lawsuit

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) - A Norfolk Community Services Board patient from 12 years ago claimed no-show worker Jill McGlone disclosed her medical information and test results to unauthorized people.

Toni Rae Harris says the incident happened on June 26, 1998 and she sought $200,000 in damages for emotional pain and suffering. Two days before the case was to go to trial on March 15, 2000, Harris' attorney dropped the lawsuit . Harris died in 2006.

Fast forward 12 years, McGlone is still collecting a paycheck. When current CSB director Maureen Womack discovered the issue she fired Director of Administration Brenda Wise, Director of Clinical Services Anthony Crisp and three other employees.

Attorney Kevin Martingayle is representing Crisp and Human Resources officer Linda Berardi. In a strongly worded letter to Womack obtained by WAVY.com Martingayle claims his clients are "scapegoats" and are being subjected to "baseless smears" of their character. Martingayle is demanding a public apology.

"They did not cover anything up, they did not hide anything. They followed the chain of command and passed the information up exactly the way they were supposed to," said Martingayle.

Martingayle says Berardi was hired after McGlone was placed on administrative leave. He believes the answer lies higher up the chain of command.

"They didn't put her in that status, they didn't keep her in that status. They didn't have the ability to take her out of that status. These decisions were made at a pay grade above my clients levels," said Martingayle.

Currently the State Police and the FBI are investigating the payroll problem. The results are expected in mid-October.