The Maine Supreme Court has issued a memorandum opinion holding the Saddleback Ski Resort liable for its role in the discharge of an electrician who blew the whistle. Electrician Robert Duggan, Jr., blew the whistle on Saddleback’s use of its maintenance crew to install a high-voltage electric line. Duggan reported that Saddleback was using unlicensed electricians for the work, and that they made the installation unsafe by failing to make proper connections and grounds.
Saddleback argued that it should not be liable for Duggan’s discharge since it was not his direct employer. The Court disagreed, noting the Maine law makes an employer liable if it was was "aiding, abetting, inciting, compelling or coercing another" to cause the adverse action.
