Fired worker files suit against research facility
2/14/2005
NEW IBERIA, La. A former coordinator of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette New Iberia Research Center has filed a lawsuit against the university, claiming she was fired for voicing concerns about animal cruelty at the facility.
Narriman Fakier accuses the university of wrongful termination, retaliatory discharge, violation of free speech rights and violation of whistleblower statutes. She is seeking unspecified damages.
According to the lawsuit, Fakier "repeatedly blew the whistle" about perceived violations of the federal Animal Welfare Act at the facility. She claims she was forced to resign due to the concerns in February of 2004.
N-I-R-C Director Thomas Rowell said he had not seen the lawsuit, and declined to comment.
The 100-acre research center, located near Acadiana Regional Airport, employs more than 250 people. More than six-thousand primates are housed at the facility, including more than 300 chimpanzees.