Washington Public Employee Fired Over Fruit Pie Suing City

A Bridgeport, Wash., public works employee who was fired by the mayor for shoplifting a $1.69 fruit pie is filing a wrongful termination lawsuit against the city.

Mayor Marilynn Lynn said the value of the theft didn’t matter, but that she fired David Greer for committing a crime.

Greer’s wife says he put the cherry pie in his pocket as his arms were full of other snacks that he paid for at a market. The 55-year-old was caught and cited for shoplifting. After he wrote a letter of apology to the store owner the ticket was dismissed in April in Bridgeport Municipal Court.

Greer has worked for the city for 21 years. His firing prompted a protest demonstration last month at a city council meeting.