Woman fired for refusing illegal activities, suit claims

GALVESTON - After she was terminated for allegedly refusing to perform illegal activities for her supervisor, a Galveston County woman has filed suit against her employer.

Diane Burnett claims that she was forced to drink alcoholic beverages, smoke marijuana and have a sexual relationship with Roy Jones, the owner of Mainland Tool, in order to keep her job as an office administrator.

Her lawsuit was filed Oct. 20 in Galveston County District Court against Mainland Tool and Jones.

Burnett claims she discovered the business was stealing from its costumers by not refunding invoices that were overpaid or in some cases doubled the invoice.

The suit alleges that more than 15 clients were due large refunds or future credit, including BP, Brown & Root and the city of La Marque.

The overpayments are estimated at more than $200,000 and charged off to other accounts, the original complaint alleges.

Burnett claims she tried to address the malfeasance with Jones, but he refused to talk about it, the suit says.

According to the plaintiff, she informed Jones last month that she would no longer engage in sex with him or help him steal from clients so Jones fired her. Burnett claims Jones even threatened to have law enforcement arrest her.

The defendant is faulted for wrongful termination, assault and battery, slander and intentional infliction of emotion distress.

Burnett seeks unspecified monetary damages.

She is represented by attorney Paul H. LaValle of Texas City.

The case has been assigned to Galveston County District Court 10th District Court Judge David Garner.

Case No. 10-cv-3996