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$13,000 to Pay Law Suit Against the FSM Government

PALIKIR, Pohnpei (FSM Information Service): January 2000 - A $13,000 request has been submitted to Congress as a result of a law suite against the Government.

Daniel Isaac sued the FSM Government, along with the former national planner and director of the Office of Administrative Services because he was returned to his former position of engineer after being the acting administrator of the division of construction and contractor review for almost two years.

The suit alleged the national government had violated the public service system regulation in demoting Isaac without notice and his civil rights were violated when denied the opportunity to a hearing to contest the demotion.

The suit also sought punitive damages against the national planner and the director of Administrative Services for alleged malicious conduct.

The FSM Supreme Court ruled that the national government had violated the PSSR and Isaac's civil rights. It also ordered that a trial be held for Isaac to prove his damages.

Prior to the trial attorneys for both parties settled the matter.

"The national government has agreed to pay $13,000 to Mr. Isaac and he has agreed to dismiss the lawsuit with prejudice," according to a December 27, 1999 letter from President Leo A. Falcam to Speaker Jack Fritz.