10 Sentosa nurses, lawyer to sue New York prosecutors
abs-cbnNEWS.com | 03/28/2009 1:39 AM
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Ten former Sentosa nurses and their employment lawyer, Felix Vinluan, officially put Suffolk County New York District Attorney Thomas Spota on notice that they will sue him, Assistant DA Leonard Lato and the county for charging them with endangering patients at Avalon Gardens Nursing Home after they resigned.
The 10 Avalon nurses and Vinluan filed a notice of claim last March 25, which is the first step toward filing a lawsuit. The claim alleges malicious prosecution, violation of civil rights, legal malpractice and racketeering.
It said prosecutors intentionally misled the grand jury that indicted the nurses.
This came just a few days after former Sentosa nurses, their lawyers and supporters announced their renewed campaign for justice.
The 10 Avalon nurses are among the 26 nurses and one physical therapist who resigned from Sentosa-owned facilities in 2006, claiming breach of contract and unfair wages.
Two months ago, an appellate court granted the 10 Avalon nurses' request to prohibit the New York Supreme Court from filing any criminal action against them. Last week, the New York District Attorney's Office said it will not oppose a motion to dismiss the indictment against the 10 nurses and Vinluan.
The nurses said winning the lawsuits will send a much bigger message.
"In the Philippines, it would mean that there might be some changes in our labor laws and migrant workers will be protected. We could be their voice not only for nurses but for migrant workers all over the world," said former Sentosa nurse Archiel Buagas.
"We did this because we need Sentosa to change how they recruit Filipino nurses. Not because we are from the Philippines, as foreign workers, that we don't have the same rights. I hope they don't go through the same," added former Sentosa nurse Carlo Garcia. Report by Lenn Almadin-Thornhill, ABS-CBN North America News Bureau
