Court of Appeal Upholds Ruling in Gomez vs. LICU

Yolanda Gomez

In July 2015, the Board of Directors of La Inmaculada Credit Union in Orange Walk terminated the services of General Manager Yolanda Gomez, after twenty-five years with the lending institution.  The decision to fire Gomez followed an investigation that was conducted by the Central Bank of Belize, as well as an external financial auditor, where it was determined that there was enough incriminating evidence to warrant her dismissal.  In February 2017, Senior Counsel Eamon Courtenay represented Gomez in a lawsuit brought against the credit union and the Registrar of Credit Unions, who is also the Governor of the Central Bank.  The matter languished in the Supreme Court for over four years before a decision was handed down in favor of La Inmaculada Credit Union.  In that judgment, Justice Michelle Arana ruled that L.I.C.U. did not wrongfully dismiss Gomez, nor is the credit union liable for any payment to her.  Nonetheless, the Supreme Court decision was subsequently appealed and the appellate bench has upheld the ruling of Justice Arana.  Additionally, Gomez has been ordered to pay La Inmaculada Credit Union four hundred and thirty-six thousand, nine hundred and six dollars in damages.  Legal costs for the appeal were also awarded.