Islamorada’s former improvement companies director is in search of unpaid severance pay plus damages for feedback made by one village official following his dismissal, in response to a requirement letter despatched to the village by his legal professional on Nov. 6.
In line with the letter, the village did not pay severance to Dan Gulizio after he was let go by Ted Yates, former village supervisor on May 30. And with damages he’s additionally in search of following his dismissal, Gulizio believes he’s owed $317,000. Per the grievance by Gulizio’s legal professional, Robert Bernstein, of the Coral Gables agency Annesser Armenteros, Gulizio wished to obtain his severance in lump sum, which he was entitled to per the settlement to obtain inside 30 days of termination.
The grievance additionally claims Gulizio’s termination was improper as a consequence of false feedback made by Yates throughout council conferences in June and July. In line with the grievance, throughout a June 8 assembly, Yates falsely acknowledged that “Gulizio was terminated as a consequence of ‘inefficiencies in the best way that he operated’ when in truth the termination was as a consequence of stress from council members and Gulizio’s refusal to carry out improper acts.” Throughout a July 6 assembly, the lawsuit states, Yates falsely stated Gulizio was terminated as he was “not the proper match” and was “affecting the effectiveness of the division,” when the termination was as a consequence of stress from council members. The grievance doesn’t identify which council members have been concerned.
“The false statements concerning Gulizio’s efficiency induced harm to Gulizio’s private {and professional} popularity, together with Gulizio’s capacity to acquire new employment,” the grievance reads.
In October 2021, the village hired Gulizio as director of planning and development. Gulizio was introduced in by Greg Oravec, who was employed as village supervisor in June 2021 earlier than leaving in January 2022. Gulizio succeeded Ty Harris, who resigned from the post in July 2021.
Dec. 1, 2021 was Gulizio’s first day on the job. A 12 months later, his job title modified to improvement companies director. Whereas Gulizio agreed to the title change, his compensation and duties stayed the identical.
Gulizio obtained a $130,000 wage with a 5% improve at his one-year anniversary, in addition to a $2,000 per 30 days housing allowance if he lived within the village or $1,500 if he lived outdoors the integrated boundaries. Gulizio’s contract additionally included 12 weeks of severance pay, plus unused sick and trip time and paid holidays if terminated from the job with out trigger.
Throughout a Might 18 council assembly, Gulizio took to the microphone and mentioned the threats he obtained of being fired. He additionally shared issues with the hostile nature of the office. Gulizio was let go days after issuing the statements. It got here as Gulizio and his workers have been enterprise a bigger effort to research and address inconsistencies and gaps in the village code. Gulizio in the end crafted an inventory of things that the council may tackle to repair the village’s sophisticated code, which ranged from smaller “housekeeping” objects to bigger overhauls.
Not solely is Gulizio in search of damages for severance pay he didn’t obtain, however he’s additionally in search of reinstatement, both quickly or completely, to the event director companies place pending the ultimate final result of the grievance.
The Keys Weekly is awaiting response from John Fast, legal professional for the village of Islamorada, for a touch upon the grievance letter.
— This story will likely be up to date.
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