ST. CROIX — Government House issued a statement today categorically rejecting a claim as “unfounded and without merit” that the termination of a former Department of Finance employee violated whistleblower protections.
“While we respect the right of any individual to seek legal recourse, we are confident that the facts will show that this claim is without merit,” according to the statement.
Lucy Nuñez, who served as director of the Treasury Division for the Department of Finance, recently filed a Superior Court complaint alleging Finance Commissioner Kevin McCurdy retaliated against her in violation of the Virgin Islands Whistleblower’s Protection Act after she reported him to Governor Albert Bryan Jr. The defendants named in the complaint are McCurdy, the Virgin Islands government, and the Department of Finance.
In a six-page complaint filed March 5 by attorney Kareem Todman, Nuñez claims McCurdy retaliated against her after she sent a letter to the governor on October 8, 2024 outlining concerns she identified within the DOF’s Treasury Division in addition to concerns about McCurdy’s ability to lead the Department of Finance. She alleges that McCurdy assigned her job duties to lower-ranking employees, repeatedly made derogatory comments about her fitness to serve in her position, and demoted her to a less-senior position of financial manager at the Bureau of Information Technology.
Nuñez was an exempt employee who served at the pleasure of the governor, as permitted by law, according to a WTJX source. The governor has the legal authority to determine the continuation of service for exempt employees and make these decisions based on performance and fit. Prior to her separation from DOF, Nuñez was offered an alternative position at the same salary better aligned with her demonstrated skill set and work history. She declined the opportunity.
According to the Division of Personnel’s employee database, Nuñez received a salary of $95,000 as treasury director. The job she was offered at BIT also earned a salary of $95,000.
Nuñez seeks a jury trial on all issues triable and judgment against the defendants in an amount as determined by the trier of facts for all costs and fees, attorney and witness fees, compensatory damages, prejudgment interest, post-judgment interest, and punitive damages. Nuñez also seeks reinstatement of her job at the Department of Finance, the payment of back wages, and full reinstatement of all fringe benefits and seniority rights, along with any other relief the court deems is just and proper.
