ALJ Ordered to Reconsider Extent of Employee's Illness

WASHINGTON, D.C. - A District of Columbia appellate court has declined to rule on a former federal employee's appeal of her termination for gross misconduct and ordered an administrative law judge to first rule on the extent of the employee's mold-related illness. Morris v. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, No. 07-AA-654 (D.C. Ct. App.).

The District of Columbia Court of Appeals said July 9 that a ruling on that issue was needed before the court could reconsider whether Connie K. Morris was properly terminated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for "gross misconduct," which has made her ineligible for unemployment benefits.