LOMPOC, Calif.–CoastHills Credit Union said it “disputes” claims made against it and a number of board members in a lawsuit filed by its former CEO and that it plans to “vigorously” defend its reputation.
As CUToday.info reported here, Jeff York, the former president and CEO of CoastHills Credit Union, filed the 102-page lawsuit that includes 16 claims of misconduct against the credit union, from wrongful termination, retaliation and labor code violations, to defamation, false light and breach of contract.
As CUToday.info had earlier reported here in March, York had alleged he had been terminated on March 16 “without cause” because he filed a complaint after a board member attempted to make his personal weight loss part of his 2018 performance goals.
But CoastHills is disputing those claims.
In a statement to CUToday.info, Board Chairman Bill Anders said, “CoastHills Credit Union wishes to speak to its members and the community at large regarding the lawsuit filed by its former CEO Jeff York against the Credit Union, two employees, and eight of its current and former volunteer directors. The lawsuit claims that Mr. York was discriminated against, including because of his gender, and that he was wrongfully terminated. His claims single out a couple of the directors, and makes offensive allegations against them in what appears to be an attempt to destroy their reputations in the community. His motives may be further revealed by the fact that his legal counsel recently sent out a press release reminding people that he filed this lawsuit more than a month ago, and repeating the false allegations he is asserting against the credit union and some of its directors.
“We wish that Mr. York had confined his claims to suing the Credit Union, but he is free to sue whomever he wanted for whatever reason he wanted,” Anders continued. “Importantly, because Mr. York makes his allegations in a lawsuit does not mean those allegations are true. CoastHills disputes the claims of Mr. York and is vigorously defending the reputation of our members, staff and volunteers. In terminating Mr. York, as well as in all other personnel decisions, the credit union and its volunteer directors are acting in the best interests of its members and to preserve CoastHills Credit Union as a premier financial institution of which we can all be proud. The credit union is confident that the true facts will eventually come out and the credit union, its directors and its employees are fully and completely vindicated.”