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Fairfax Underground
Welcome to Fairfax Underground, a project site designed to improve communication among residents of Fairfax County, VA. Feel free to post anything Northern Virginia residents would find interesting.
Welcome to Fairfax Underground, a project site designed to improve communication among residents of Fairfax County, VA. Feel free to post anything Northern Virginia residents would find interesting.
Fairfax woman, Samantha Vanterpool, sues Cuccinelli, alleging wrongful firing
Posted by:
Northern VA Politics
()
Date: August 09, 2013 04:46AM
Fairfax woman sues Cuccinelli, alleging wrongful firing
http://fairfaxnews.com/2013/08/fairfax-woman-sues-cuccinelli-alleging-wrongful-firing/
A former assistant attorney general, Samantha Vanterpool, is suing Virginia Attorney General and gubernatorial candidate Ken Cuccinelli, claiming he fired her for criticizing him in the media during the primaries.
Vanterpool, a Republican appointed by Cuccinelli’s predecessor in 2006, claims she was fired a month after the Washington Post published a story about the jockeying between Cuccinelli and his opponent in the primary, Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling, her political mentor.
The story featured comments from an anonymous web poster that said: “While Bolling is helping the GOP, Cuccinelli is promoting Cuccinelli. For example, he is NEVER in the AG’s office and solely uses the position for self promotion,” according to the lawsuit.
Vanterpool claims a Cuccinelli staffer saw the remarks and accused her of making them. She says Chief Deputy Attorney General Charles James Jr., also named in the suit, then fired her for violating policies involving outside communications.
Vanterpool’s complaint against Cuccinelli accuses him and James, who has since resigned, of violating her First Amendment rights.
“The alleged comments, accompanying the Washington Post article, about the Attorney General’s performance of his duties qualify as matters of public concern by a private citizen,” the complaint states. “At the time, the Attorney General and the Lt. Governor were vying for the gubernatorial nomination of the Virginia Republican Party. Therefore, Mr. Cuccinelli had a vested interest in making sure that he did not receive any negative press.”
Allegations denied
In a statement to FairfaxNews, the attorney general’s communications director disputed the charges.
“The attorney general and his former chief deputy are passionate supporters of the First Amendment, and any suggestion by a disgruntled former employee to the contrary is patently absurd,” Brian J. Gottstein said.
James, the former chief deputy, also denied the allegations.
“In 2010, the attorney general formally delegated the management of personnel issues to me as the chief deputy attorney general. During my tenure, I was called on to make the final decisions on multiple personnel issues, and the circumstances surrounding Ms. Vanterpool’s resignation from the office were no exception,” James said. “At no time did I or anyone else in the office violate Ms. Vanterpool’s First Amendment rights. Finally, the suggestion that my leaving the office had anything to do with Ms. Vanterpool is utter fiction.”
Vanterpool wants Cuccinelli and James to pay her $500,000 in compensatory damages and punitive damages to be determined at trial. She is represented by Richard Patrick of Jordan Patrick & Cooley in Fairfax.
Roving attorney
Vanterpool’s foray into local politics began in 2005 when she volunteered through the Republican National Lawyers Association to serve as a roving attorney in the gubernatorial elections, according to her biography on the website of the Leadership Institute, a conservative political organization in Arliington.
She was recognized on a statewide level by the Virginia Republican Party when she received a volunteer of the month award. For four years, she served as the FCRC magisterial district chairwoman in Mason District, which includes 28 precincts in portion of Falls Church, Annandale, Springfield and Alexandria.
As chairwoman, Vanterpool was responsible for identifying candidates to run in local races, coordinating grassroots efforts with the various campaigns, recruiting precinct captains, staffing volunteers on Election Day and ensuring a GOP presence at local events. She has organized numerous voter registration drives, volunteered on numerous political races and worked to educate Virginians about the importance of having a voice in their government.
In 2008, she was elected to serve as honorary co-chair of Women for McCain in the Presidential race. In 2009, she chaired the FCRC outreach committee and organized the first ever Northern Virginia comprehensive outreach to Latinos, known as El Voto Virginia.
Attachments:
http://fairfaxnews.com/2013/08/fairfax-woman-sues-cuccinelli-alleging-wrongful-firing/
A former assistant attorney general, Samantha Vanterpool, is suing Virginia Attorney General and gubernatorial candidate Ken Cuccinelli, claiming he fired her for criticizing him in the media during the primaries.
Vanterpool, a Republican appointed by Cuccinelli’s predecessor in 2006, claims she was fired a month after the Washington Post published a story about the jockeying between Cuccinelli and his opponent in the primary, Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling, her political mentor.
The story featured comments from an anonymous web poster that said: “While Bolling is helping the GOP, Cuccinelli is promoting Cuccinelli. For example, he is NEVER in the AG’s office and solely uses the position for self promotion,” according to the lawsuit.
Vanterpool claims a Cuccinelli staffer saw the remarks and accused her of making them. She says Chief Deputy Attorney General Charles James Jr., also named in the suit, then fired her for violating policies involving outside communications.
Vanterpool’s complaint against Cuccinelli accuses him and James, who has since resigned, of violating her First Amendment rights.
“The alleged comments, accompanying the Washington Post article, about the Attorney General’s performance of his duties qualify as matters of public concern by a private citizen,” the complaint states. “At the time, the Attorney General and the Lt. Governor were vying for the gubernatorial nomination of the Virginia Republican Party. Therefore, Mr. Cuccinelli had a vested interest in making sure that he did not receive any negative press.”
Allegations denied
In a statement to FairfaxNews, the attorney general’s communications director disputed the charges.
“The attorney general and his former chief deputy are passionate supporters of the First Amendment, and any suggestion by a disgruntled former employee to the contrary is patently absurd,” Brian J. Gottstein said.
James, the former chief deputy, also denied the allegations.
“In 2010, the attorney general formally delegated the management of personnel issues to me as the chief deputy attorney general. During my tenure, I was called on to make the final decisions on multiple personnel issues, and the circumstances surrounding Ms. Vanterpool’s resignation from the office were no exception,” James said. “At no time did I or anyone else in the office violate Ms. Vanterpool’s First Amendment rights. Finally, the suggestion that my leaving the office had anything to do with Ms. Vanterpool is utter fiction.”
Vanterpool wants Cuccinelli and James to pay her $500,000 in compensatory damages and punitive damages to be determined at trial. She is represented by Richard Patrick of Jordan Patrick & Cooley in Fairfax.
Roving attorney
Vanterpool’s foray into local politics began in 2005 when she volunteered through the Republican National Lawyers Association to serve as a roving attorney in the gubernatorial elections, according to her biography on the website of the Leadership Institute, a conservative political organization in Arliington.
She was recognized on a statewide level by the Virginia Republican Party when she received a volunteer of the month award. For four years, she served as the FCRC magisterial district chairwoman in Mason District, which includes 28 precincts in portion of Falls Church, Annandale, Springfield and Alexandria.
As chairwoman, Vanterpool was responsible for identifying candidates to run in local races, coordinating grassroots efforts with the various campaigns, recruiting precinct captains, staffing volunteers on Election Day and ensuring a GOP presence at local events. She has organized numerous voter registration drives, volunteered on numerous political races and worked to educate Virginians about the importance of having a voice in their government.
In 2008, she was elected to serve as honorary co-chair of Women for McCain in the Presidential race. In 2009, she chaired the FCRC outreach committee and organized the first ever Northern Virginia comprehensive outreach to Latinos, known as El Voto Virginia.
Attachments:
Re: Fairfax woman, Samantha Vanterpool, sues Cuccinelli, alleging wrongful firing
Posted by:
Concerned Voters
()
Date: August 09, 2013 07:35AM
Northern VA Politics Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> A former assistant attorney general, Samantha
> Vanterpool, is suing Virginia Attorney General and
> gubernatorial candidate Ken Cuccinelli, claiming
> he fired her for criticizing him in the media
> during the primaries.
I don't like him, but doesn't that qualify as insubordination, criticizing your boss like that to the media?
-------------------------------------------------------
> A former assistant attorney general, Samantha
> Vanterpool, is suing Virginia Attorney General and
> gubernatorial candidate Ken Cuccinelli, claiming
> he fired her for criticizing him in the media
> during the primaries.
I don't like him, but doesn't that qualify as insubordination, criticizing your boss like that to the media?
Re: Fairfax woman, Samantha Vanterpool, sues Cuccinelli, alleging wrongful firing
Posted by:
Ralph Pootawn
()
Date: August 09, 2013 07:47AM
VA is a right to work state. You can be fired for being ugly.
Re: Fairfax woman, Samantha Vanterpool, sues Cuccinelli, alleging wrongful firing
Posted by:
Goddam cuch
()
Date: August 09, 2013 07:50AM
Right to work means you don't have no right to work.
Re: Fairfax woman, Samantha Vanterpool, sues Cuccinelli, alleging wrongful firing
Posted by:
Random
()
Date: August 09, 2013 07:51AM
If your boss is running for public office and you criticize him or her in your capacity as a private citizen, that is not insubordination. Cooch's running for governor is also not part of his job as attorney general and supporting his run for governor is not part of the job description of of an assistant attorney general. In no way, shape or form is this insubordination. The only problem would be if she used her work computer to make the comments - if she even made them.
Re: Fairfax woman, Samantha Vanterpool, sues Cuccinelli, alleging wrongful firing
Posted by:
Two Cents
()
Date: August 09, 2013 08:00AM
I'm sure they probably fired her for that reason, but used some office policy to legitimize the termination (Improper conduct, Indecent emails, or some crap like that).
Cuccinelli camp pushes back against ex-employee's suit
Posted by:
More Info
()
Date: August 09, 2013 08:36AM
Cuccinelli camp pushes back against ex-employee's suit
http://www.wjla.com/articles/2013/08/cuccinelli-camp-pushes-back-against-ex-employee-s-suit-92378.html
Virginia attorney general and GOP gubernatorial candidate Ken Cuccinelli is strongly pushing back against a former state assistant attorney general who has filed a lawsuit claiming she was fired for writing things on a Washington Post feedback forum that negatively reflected on her former boss.
Samantha Vanterpool filed the suit Friday in U.S. District Court against both Cuccinelli and his former top aide Charles James Jr.
Basically, she contends that even if she did write the posts in question, it’s a free-speech issue. She claims the only reason she was given for her departure was that she was in violation of the standards of conduct and media policy.
James told WJLA in an e-mail that “During my tenure, I was called on to make the final decisions on multiple personnel issues, and the circumstances surrounding Ms. Vanterpool’s resignation from the office were no exception,” he said. “At no time did I or anyone else in the office violate Ms. Vanterpool’s First Amendment rights.
“Finally, the suggestion that my leaving the office had anything to do with Ms. Vanterpool is utter fiction.”
Added Cuccinelli spokesman Brian Gottstein, also via e-mail: “The attorney general and his former chief deputy are passionate supporters of the First Amendment, and any suggestion by a disgruntled former employee to the contrary is patently absurd.”
The suit revolves around remarks in the comments section of a May 2012 Post story where the writer says Cuccinelli, who’s running for governor against Democratic candidate Terry McAuliffe, is an “egomaniac” and ran for AG to more or less advance his career. It also says James resigned because of the way he dealt with her.
Vanterpool, who could not be reached for comment, contends in her suit that she’s due $500,000 in compensatory damages, potential punitive damages, back pay and – not to forget – a return to her old job.
Attachments:
http://www.wjla.com/articles/2013/08/cuccinelli-camp-pushes-back-against-ex-employee-s-suit-92378.html
Virginia attorney general and GOP gubernatorial candidate Ken Cuccinelli is strongly pushing back against a former state assistant attorney general who has filed a lawsuit claiming she was fired for writing things on a Washington Post feedback forum that negatively reflected on her former boss.
Samantha Vanterpool filed the suit Friday in U.S. District Court against both Cuccinelli and his former top aide Charles James Jr.
Basically, she contends that even if she did write the posts in question, it’s a free-speech issue. She claims the only reason she was given for her departure was that she was in violation of the standards of conduct and media policy.
James told WJLA in an e-mail that “During my tenure, I was called on to make the final decisions on multiple personnel issues, and the circumstances surrounding Ms. Vanterpool’s resignation from the office were no exception,” he said. “At no time did I or anyone else in the office violate Ms. Vanterpool’s First Amendment rights.
“Finally, the suggestion that my leaving the office had anything to do with Ms. Vanterpool is utter fiction.”
Added Cuccinelli spokesman Brian Gottstein, also via e-mail: “The attorney general and his former chief deputy are passionate supporters of the First Amendment, and any suggestion by a disgruntled former employee to the contrary is patently absurd.”
The suit revolves around remarks in the comments section of a May 2012 Post story where the writer says Cuccinelli, who’s running for governor against Democratic candidate Terry McAuliffe, is an “egomaniac” and ran for AG to more or less advance his career. It also says James resigned because of the way he dealt with her.
Vanterpool, who could not be reached for comment, contends in her suit that she’s due $500,000 in compensatory damages, potential punitive damages, back pay and – not to forget – a return to her old job.
Attachments:
Re: Fairfax woman, Samantha Vanterpool, sues Cuccinelli, alleging wrongful firing
Posted by:
Chick-Fil-A
()
Date: August 09, 2013 09:37AM
Given Cuccinelli's Klan sympathies, this is not surprising. If he isn't elected governor, he will open up a Chick-Fil-A and have a weekly fiery cross special.
Re: Fairfax woman, Samantha Vanterpool, sues Cuccinelli, alleging wrongful firing
Posted by:
Season for Reason
()
Date: August 09, 2013 12:44PM
Random Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> If your boss is running for public office and you
> criticize him or her in your capacity as a private
> citizen, that is not insubordination. Cooch's
> running for governor is also not part of his job
> as attorney general and supporting his run for
> governor is not part of the job description of of
> an assistant attorney general. In no way, shape or
> form is this insubordination. The only problem
> would be if she used her work computer to make the
> comments - if she even made them.
I think she's effectively admitted making them by claiming infringement on her First Ammendment rights; otherwise, that claim would have no basis. She can't claim protection of her rights for speech made by someone else. So it comes down to whether she violated policy and the termination was appropriate given the circumstances within the limits on her speech imposed and accepted as terms of her employment.
As usual in these cases there's likely a lot more to the story on both sides. She probably was doing more than just that on a day-to-day basis and not particularly effective in her position if she was a loyal Bolling fan. And they were probably tired of dealing with her disgruntled ass and looking for reasons. Neither of which likely involved Cuccinelli directly other than it was his staff.
-------------------------------------------------------
> If your boss is running for public office and you
> criticize him or her in your capacity as a private
> citizen, that is not insubordination. Cooch's
> running for governor is also not part of his job
> as attorney general and supporting his run for
> governor is not part of the job description of of
> an assistant attorney general. In no way, shape or
> form is this insubordination. The only problem
> would be if she used her work computer to make the
> comments - if she even made them.
I think she's effectively admitted making them by claiming infringement on her First Ammendment rights; otherwise, that claim would have no basis. She can't claim protection of her rights for speech made by someone else. So it comes down to whether she violated policy and the termination was appropriate given the circumstances within the limits on her speech imposed and accepted as terms of her employment.
As usual in these cases there's likely a lot more to the story on both sides. She probably was doing more than just that on a day-to-day basis and not particularly effective in her position if she was a loyal Bolling fan. And they were probably tired of dealing with her disgruntled ass and looking for reasons. Neither of which likely involved Cuccinelli directly other than it was his staff.
Re: Fairfax woman, Samantha Vanterpool, sues Cuccinelli, alleging wrongful firing
Posted by:
tet
()
Date: August 09, 2013 04:11PM
Chick-Fil-A Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Given Cuccinelli's Klan sympathies, this is not
> surprising. If he isn't elected governor, he will
> open up a Chick-Fil-A and have a weekly fiery
> cross special.
Klan Cuccinelli
-------------------------------------------------------
> Given Cuccinelli's Klan sympathies, this is not
> surprising. If he isn't elected governor, he will
> open up a Chick-Fil-A and have a weekly fiery
> cross special.
Klan Cuccinelli
Re: Fairfax woman, Samantha Vanterpool, sues Cuccinelli, alleging wrongful firing
Posted by:
westy
()
Date: August 09, 2013 04:13PM
i think they see eye to eye
Attachments:
Attachments:
Re: Fairfax woman, Samantha Vanterpool, sues Cuccinelli, alleging wrongful firing
Posted by:
You're the king of all dumbasses
()
Date: August 09, 2013 05:41PM
Chick-Fil-A Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Given Cuccinelli's Klan sympathies, this is not
> surprising. If he isn't elected governor, he will
> open up a Chick-Fil-A and have a weekly fiery
> cross special.
Klan sympathies? If you are going to be an ignorant little lying ass bitch all the time, at least make the lies plausible. Cucinelli is an ardent Catholic and the Klan hates Catholics only second to minorities.
-------------------------------------------------------
> Given Cuccinelli's Klan sympathies, this is not
> surprising. If he isn't elected governor, he will
> open up a Chick-Fil-A and have a weekly fiery
> cross special.
Klan sympathies? If you are going to be an ignorant little lying ass bitch all the time, at least make the lies plausible. Cucinelli is an ardent Catholic and the Klan hates Catholics only second to minorities.
Re: Fairfax woman, Samantha Vanterpool, sues Cuccinelli, alleging wrongful firing
Posted by:
Road Musings
()
Date: August 09, 2013 06:33PM
Samantha ran for Fairfax School Board, Mason District in '10 as well. She worked her ass off and came surprisingly close in an overwhelmingly Democratic district.
Whatever the merits of the complaint, she is, as they say "good people".
Whatever the merits of the complaint, she is, as they say "good people".
Re: Fairfax woman, Samantha Vanterpool, sues Cuccinelli, alleging wrongful firing
Posted by:
<><><><><>
()
Date: August 09, 2013 08:30PM
Road Musings Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Samantha ran for Fairfax School Board, Mason
> District in '10 as well. She worked her ass off
> and came surprisingly close in an overwhelmingly
> Democratic district.
>
> Whatever the merits of the complaint, she is, as
> they say "good people".
Seems to be, haven't heard anything negative about her.
-------------------------------------------------------
> Samantha ran for Fairfax School Board, Mason
> District in '10 as well. She worked her ass off
> and came surprisingly close in an overwhelmingly
> Democratic district.
>
> Whatever the merits of the complaint, she is, as
> they say "good people".
Seems to be, haven't heard anything negative about her.
Re: Fairfax woman, Samantha Vanterpool, sues Cuccinelli, alleging wrongful firing
Posted by:
Bolling?
()
Date: August 09, 2013 11:47PM
What do Bolling supporters have to gain by sabotaging Cuccinelli?
Re: Fairfax woman, Samantha Vanterpool, sues Cuccinelli, alleging wrongful firing
Posted by:
ignayt
()
Date: August 10, 2013 01:55AM
You're the king of all dumbasses Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Chick-Fil-A Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Given Cuccinelli's Klan sympathies, this is not
> > surprising. If he isn't elected governor, he
> will
> > open up a Chick-Fil-A and have a weekly fiery
> > cross special.
>
>
> Klan sympathies? If you are going to be an
> ignorant little lying ass bitch all the time, at
> least make the lies plausible. Cucinelli is an
> ardent Catholic and the Klan hates Catholics only
> second to minorities.
Yet they share so much in their views.
-------------------------------------------------------
> Chick-Fil-A Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Given Cuccinelli's Klan sympathies, this is not
> > surprising. If he isn't elected governor, he
> will
> > open up a Chick-Fil-A and have a weekly fiery
> > cross special.
>
>
> Klan sympathies? If you are going to be an
> ignorant little lying ass bitch all the time, at
> least make the lies plausible. Cucinelli is an
> ardent Catholic and the Klan hates Catholics only
> second to minorities.
Yet they share so much in their views.