BREAKING: A federal jury has just awarded $1.7 million to two whistleblowers from the Camden Housing Authority, confirming their wrongful termination after they reported serious allegations of fraud and misconduct. The jury’s decision, rendered on November 18, 2024, marks a significant victory for employees fighting against retaliation for speaking out.
Gary Evangelista, the authority’s former director of security, and Kaberia Fussell, a housing specialist, were dismissed on December 19, 2018, shortly after raising concerns about unpaid rent, misuse of housing units, and potential theft within the agency. Instead of investigating these serious claims, officials chose to terminate both employees, as detailed in their lawsuit.
In a courageous move, Evangelista and Fussell filed a whistleblower suit in federal court in 2020, asserting that their terminations violated their First Amendment rights due to retaliation for protected speech and union activities. A U.S. District Court judge ruled in 2024 that the case warranted a jury trial, rejecting the housing authority’s attempts to dismiss several claims.
During the trial, jurors found that the Camden Housing Authority’s actions were retaliatory. The jury awarded Evangelista a total of $510,891 for lost earnings, $750,000 in compensatory damages, and $2,500 in punitive damages. Fussell received $450,000 in compensatory damages along with $2,500 in punitive damages.
Fussell, who successfully appealed her termination and returned to work, expressed her relief at the verdict, describing it as long-overdue vindication. Evangelista, who faced challenges finding steady employment after his dismissal, stated that the award felt like “giving me my life back after six years,” highlighting the personal toll this ordeal took on both of them.
This ruling not only sheds light on the serious allegations within the Camden Housing Authority but also serves as a crucial reminder of the importance of protecting whistleblowers. As this story develops, it raises questions about the accountability of public agencies and the lengths employees must go to in order to protect the integrity of their workplaces.
Stay tuned for updates as more information becomes available regarding this landmark case and its implications for housing authorities across the nation.
