BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – A jury awarded former HealthSouth Corp. Security Chief James Goodreau $1.9 million for his wrongful termination, protecting a lifetime job guarantee.
Goodreau served as HealthSouth security chief and bodyguard for former CEO Richard Scrushy until both were fired in 2003 after Scrushy allegedly bribed former Alabama Governor Don Siegelman. Goodreau had been a member of the Alabama Air National Guard and was on track to become an agent for the Drug Enforcement Agency before accepting the job jurors considered a lifetime job guarantee with HealthSouth. The $1.9 million decision equals 18 years of Goodreau’s pay of $103,000 per year at the time of his firing.
The Birmingham News reports a filing indicates HealthSouth is appealing the October 2006 ruling to the Alabama Supreme Court.
