A retired National Guard general has filed a wrongful termination suit against Gov. Gavin Newsom, D-Calif., and Maj. Gen. Matthew Beevers of the California National Guard on the grounds he was the subject of harassment and antisemitism.
Retired Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Magram, who is Jewish, filed the suit on Jan. 24 in a Los Angeles County Court citing that Beevers "discriminated against Magram by harassing and wrongfully terminating Magram because of Magram's Jewish faith, Jewish heritage, and Magram's complaints about Beevers' antisemitic discrimination and harassment." The suit alleges Newsom was aware of Magram's complaint and did nothing to address the situation.
Magram served with the California Air Guard for 37 years including 14 years as a full-time officer. He is seeking $1.6 million in compensatory damages for back pay and other lost employment benefits, according to the court documents.
"I am extremely proud of my more than 37 years of service to California and this great nation, but I still have serious concerns for the welfare of the service members and civilians that currently serve in the Department," Magram said in a Fox News interview. "M.G. Beevers mounted an unprecedented defamatory campaign against me, and it was supported by the governor."
"I want to make sure this never happens again ... Beevers' actions were disturbingly aggressive and unexplainable, and he needs to be held accountable," Magram continued. "It's shocking that Gov. Newsom disregarded the many attempts made to correct this situation and appointed M.G. Beevers permanently as the adjutant general."
The California Military Department denied the allegations in a statement emailed to Military Times on Jan. 29, calling Magram's complaint a "retaliatory and baseless lawsuit."
"All actions were taken based on independent investigations by the U.S. Air Force and the Military Department Inspector General," the California Military Department said of Magram's firing. "We look forward to defending our actions to hold a senior leader accountable for his misconduct."
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