BALTIMORE -- A local Army reservist is suing both the city of Baltimore and its state's attorney's office, claiming he was not allowed his job back after returning from active duty.
Capt. Andrew Gross of Columbia claimed the city let him down, and now he wants back wages, according to 11 News reporter Lowell Melser.
Gross was not available to speak with 11 News on Tuesday because he is back on active duty at Fort Bragg in North Carolina. His attorney, Steven Silverman, said Gross has been in a see-saw battle with the city the last couple years concerning his former job as a city prosecutor.
The lawsuit claims Gross was denied his job back after returning from a six-month deployment, Melser reported.
Silverman told 11 News that Gross’ dream was to serve as a prosecutor for the state and serve his country as an Army officer, and that the city has ruined that dream.
“If Capt. Gross is willing to put his life on the line for his country, you would hope when he returns to civilian life, his country would be appreciative, or at least the city of Baltimore,” Silverman said.
Silverman said that in 2008, Gross graduated from law school, passed the Maryland bar on the first try and began working as a law clerk in the Baltimore state's attorney's office under then State’s Attorney Pat Jessamy.
"We hope that service men and women around the country become more aware of their rights, and employers become aware of the rights. If anybody should know the law, it's the states attorney's office and the City of Baltimore."
- Steven Silverman
In March 2009, Gross was hired as a prosecutor. At the same time, he enlisted in the Army Reserve, and in July 2009 he was called to active duty for a six-month deployment.
Gross was told his job would be waiting for him when he got back -- but it wasn't, according to Silverman.
“He went on active duty for six months, came back and was told there was no position available for him,” Silverman told Melser.
Silverman said Gross, after months of not getting any answers from the city, had no choice but to file a lawsuit against the city and state's attorney's office under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act, which states reserve military members have a right to reclaim employment after being absent due to service to the country.
The lawsuit asks for $30,000 in back wages, Melser reported. Silverman said the state's attorney's office has hired a large Philadelphia-based law firm for defense.
“And instead of doing the right thing, the patriotic thing, the city went and hired an out-of-state law firm to fight him,” Silverman said.
Silverman said he and Gross hope their lawsuit sends a message.
“We hope that service men and women around the country become more aware of their rights, and employers become aware of the rights,” he said. “If anybody should know the law, it's the states attorney's office and the city of Baltimore."
Melser said calls to the mayor’s office on Tuesday were not returned and that the state's attorney's office had no comment because of the pending legislation.
Article Source:
wbaltv.com