From Staff Reports

ASHEVILLE, N.C. — The former leader of the  Housing Authority of the City of Asheville filed a “wrongful termination lawsuit” on April 22 against the affordable housing agency.

In her lawsuit, Monique Pierre is contending that she was not dismissed for an act of wrongdoing — rather for “refusing to ignore violations of the federal housing law by a board member.”

Through the complaint, Pierre is seeking not only to get the pay she lost from being fired, but also to “affirm that public servants ... not be punished for upholding the law,” Asheville television station WLOS (News 13) reported on April 24.

The HACA “is facing a multi-million-dollar financial shortfall, which is prompting changes across the organization, including staff reductions and program restructuring,” News 13 noted.

On April 7, the housing authority announced a reduction in staff totaling 34 positions. 

HACA officials have said the cuts included maintenance and administrative staff, with the majority impacting youth service providers connected to after-school and summer programs.