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The case involving Infosys and its US-based employee over harassment charges is now set to go on trial.
On July 6, the US District Court Judge, Mr Myron H. Thompson, had asked Infosys to settle out of court its dispute with American employee Mr Jack Palmer. But the mediation talks held early this week failed.
“Despite Judge Coody’s attempts to help both parties forge a settlement, the mediation hearing was not successful. Our sights are now set on presenting the facts of this case in open court on August 20,” an Infosys spokesperson told Business Line .
Also, Infosys faces the possibility of a slew of local and Federal law enforcement officials testifying when the case goes to trial. As a result of this inability to settle out-of-court, Infosys may have to testify against the Department of Homeland Security Special Agent, Mr Ed Koranda; Department of State Special Agent, Mr Tim Forte; and Sheriff John Williams of Alabama police (Mr Palmer lives in Alabama).
Mr Forte is a recipient of a Law Enforcement Public Service Award from the US Department of Justice for his role in busting illegal immigrants residing in the US. By US law, if needed, Federal agents have to testify.
“If the need arises, these federal agents and local law enforcement officials would be called to testify,” Mr Mr Kenneth J. Mendelsohn of Jemison & Mendelsohn, Attorney for Mr Palmer, said.
The issue of visa irregularity first came to light in May last year, when Infosys was subpoenaed by a grand jury in connection with a lawsuit filed by Mr Palmer. In the lawsuit, Mr Palmer had alleged that Infosys was victimising him and that it had withheld his bonus for blowing the whistle on what he called the company’s practise of repeatedly violating business visitor visas.
>venkatesh.ganesh@thehindu.co.in
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