GALVESTON — A former City of La Marque employee alleges the City's manager fired her in retaliation for reporting possible illegal conduct and made defamatory statements about her to a local paper.
Madeline Rees filed a complaint May 1 in Galveston County District Court against Cesar Garcia, individually and the City of La Marque alleging wrongful termination and breach of contract.
Rees alleges in her complaint that she was terminated from her job as Human Resources Director for the City of La Marque in January of 2023. She claims that she was terminated in violation of her employment contract and in retaliation for reporting possible illegal conduct by the city. She further claims that after she was fired, Garcia made defamatory statements about her to the Galveston County Daily News.
Rees alleges the statements were printed in February of 2023, and that they were false and damaged her "good name" in violation of the city's confidentially personnel and employment polices. She further alleges Garcia new the statements were false and misleading and were intended to damage her reputation. Rees claims she suffered lost wages, mental anguish and other damages as a result of the defendants' actions.
Rees seeks monetary relief of more than $200,000, interest and all other just relief. She is represented by Braxton Evans and Robert Clements, Jr., of The Robert D. Clements, Jr., Law Group LLLP in Alvin.
Galveston County District Court case number 23-CV-0692