CHARLOTTE AMALIE – A judge of the Superior Court of the United States Virgin Islands (USVI) has dismissed an appeal by the cash-strapped regional airline LIAT, against a US$1.55 million in damages awarded to a former employee.
Justice Douglas A. Brady in his ruling said that “the totality of the trial evidence was sufficient to permit a jury to inference that LIAT’s proffered reasons were false” when it dismissed William Cherubin.
The judge also noted the airline, which is owned by several Caribbean governments, had “discharged Cherubim because of his age and in violation of the Virgin Islands Civil Rights Act.
“The Court will deny LIAT’s renewed motion for judgement as a matter of law,’ Justice Brady said in his ruling made on May 13.
“Evidence of Cherubin’s emotional pain and suffering following his termination was sufficient that the Court cannot find that the jury’s verdict was seriously erroneous as against the clear weight of the evidence.
“Accordingly, the Court will not interfere with the jury’s award and LIAT’s motion for a new trial will be denied,” Justice Brady ruled.
Cherubin had taken the financially strapped airline to court in February claiming he had been dismissed because of his age. (CMC)
