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Fired Abbotsford facilities manager drops lawsuit

Victor Pankratz had said 2016 firing was ‘reprehensible’
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Abbotsford City Hall File photo

The city’s former facilities manager has withdrawn a lawsuit he filed after being fired for insubordination.

Victor Pankratz filed a suit last year alleging he was wrongfully dismissed when he was fired.

Pankratz had worked for the city for 11 years and promoted three times.

By 2013, he was responsible for managing the city’s recreation centres and other facilities, including city hall, and various police buildings, fire halls and libraries.

In his lawsuit filed last year, Pankratz claimed he had been a “valuable and reliable employee” and should have received reasonable notice of his firing.

His claim described the firing as “harsh, vindictive, reprehensible and malicious” and deserving of punishment.

He said the city made “unfounded and serious allegations” that harmed his reputation.

But in its response, the city had said Pankratz was fired after “a pattern of inappropriate conduct” in which he failed to obtain approval from the Fraser Health Authority for changes to buildings. In its court filings, the city said the incidents breached the public health act.

The city denied engaging in any “extreme” conduct.

The lawsuit was withdrawn in early June after an application by Pankratz.

Each side will be responsible for their own costs.