Petrilla Sues Former Employer for Wrongful Termination

Jesse Petrilla has sued his former employer for wrongful termination, alleging he was dismissed as a salesman at a local telecommunications product manufacturer because of his commitment to the California Army National Guard. 

In addition to being a councilman for Rancho Santa Margarita, Petrilla is a candidate for state assembly in the 73rd district.

Petrilla filed a civil complaint in June against Sarco Inc., doing business as 123eWireless, according to a published report in theOrange County Register. 

According to the published report: 

• Petrilla was hired in November 2011 as a sales representative and was on active duty in Afghanistan from April to September in 2012.
• Petrilla alleged that upon his return from Afghanistan, his key clients had been given to other representatives.
• Petrilla alleged he was "constantly harassed" and his loyalty to the company questioned by Sarco president Ali Sar because Petrilla attended mandatory drills with the National Guard. 
• Petrilla in April 2013 requested two weeks' leave in July for training, and that the harassment increased after that request. 
• Petrilla said that on June 4 he sent a reminder to a company vice president and director of human resources about his two-week military commitment from July 8-19, and was then fired by the vice president for being out of the office for three hours on June 3.
• Petrilla said he had previously complained about the company cutting off the labels of competitors and replacing them with their own.