Suspended Indian Affairs Manager Sues Government

Suspended Indian Affairs Manager Sues Government

Thursday, July 19, 2007 at 14:22

 

 

A Prince Albert-based Indian Affairs employee that was temporarily suspended three years ago for alleged misconduct is suing the federal government over the affair.

 

In a statement of claim filed in Court of Queen’s Bench, Mark D’Amato alleges he was suspended three separate times in 2004 and 2005 and forced to re-locate to Regina over allegations of misconduct the department investigated against him.

 

This included an accusation that he acted in a conflict of interest, which the claim says was eventually refuted by an internal review.

 

D’Amato also alleges the department worked to constructively dismiss him during that time period.

 

D’Amato is a funding services manager with INAC who regularly comes in contact with First Nations in the Prince Albert Grand Council.

 

He says the department’s actions resulted in a loss of his reputation and self-esteem, and caused him embarrassment, humiliation and mental anguish.

 

But Black Lake First Nation economic development coordinator Ted Robillard says D’Amato is still respected by bands in the Far North.

 

Robillard says Indian Affairs was threatening to put his band under third party management during a tense election dispute in 2004, and credits D’Amato’s intervention for preventing that from happening.

 

D’Amato is seeking unspecified damages in his claim.

 

The allegations contained in the lawsuit have not been proven in court.

 

The federal government has yet to file a statement of defence.