Justice Department sues Glendale after National Guard member fired

PHOENIX — The United States Department of Justice announced Monday that it was suing the city of Glendale for allegedly firing an employee after she was called away for National Guard duty.

In a press release, the Justice Department said Arizona Air National Guard member Capt. Rebecca Cruz was hired by the city last year as a management analyst in its Public Works Department.

Cruz was told about two months into her job that she would be required to attend training for a new assignment with the guard. She passed her orders along to her boss.

Six days later, Cruz was fired. The Justice Department suit argues that Cruz was unfairly fired because of her military service.

Cruz informed the city when she was hired that she was in the guard.

“In order to provide the security our nation depends on, members of our National Guard, like Captain Cruz, are often called away from their civilian jobs,” Acting Assistant Attorney General John Gore said.

“These brave men and women must be able to fulfill their military obligations without fear that they will lose their jobs in the process, and the Department of Justice is here to ensure those protections.”

The lawsuit sought Cruz’s lost wages and benefits and other damages. It also demanded Cruz be given her job back.

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