Motarie v. Northern Montana Joint Refuse Disposal District

Gary R. Motarie (Motarie) appeals from an order of the Ninth Judicial District Court, Glacier County, granting Northern Montana Joint Refuse Disposal District (NMJRDD) summary judgment. The court concluded that there was no genuine issue of material fact as to the essential element of Motarie’s claim of wrongful discharge, specifically, that NMJRDD fired Motarie in retaliation for his reporting a violation of public policy. We reverse.

The following issue is raised on appeal:

Did the District Court err in granting NMJRDD’s motion for summary judgment?

NMJRDD hired Motarie in early July, 1992, as…