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Former employee files lawsuit against Columbia Credit Union

Complaint alleges man was fired after contacting state agency on rules

By Sarah Wolf, Columbian staff reporter
Published: December 26, 2024, 6:08am

A Washington man who worked as a loan originator for Columbia Credit Union is suing his former employer, alleging he was fired after he contacted a state regulator for clarification about lending rules.

John Steinke, who started working at the Vancouver-based credit union in 2018, filed suit Dec. 12 in Clark County Superior Court.

The complaint states Steinke became concerned that the credit union was inadvertently requiring loan originators to disregard certain income when customers applied for loans.

To ensure the credit union was interpreting the rules about counting income correctly, Steinke said he contacted his supervisor for permission to reach out to the Washington State Division of Credit Unions for clarification about lending rules, according to the complaint.

Steinke said he sent the emails he’d received on the rules to his supervisor who forwarded them on to the credit union’s chief security officer and chief lending officer to schedule a time to talk about the credit union’s interpretation of the rules, according to the court document.

The complaint alleges Steinke was suspended the next day and ultimately fired for reaching out to the state regulatory agency, claiming he was told doing so was an “inadvertent whistleblower complaint.”

“Credit union employees shouldn’t be fired for asking regulatory agencies simple questions or clarifying financial rules,” said Colin McHugh, Steinke’s attorney. “The credit union destroyed John’s job, reputation and career. For what? Because he was trying to do the right thing.”

A spokesman for the credit union said the company “embraces employment and lending practices that are fair and compliant.”

McHugh said Steinke also filed a whistleblower complaint with the U.S. Department of Labor, although the credit union said the department investigated and dismissed it.

The Columbia Credit Union spokesman said the credit union does not comment on ongoing litigation.

Steinke is seeking economic damages including lost wages and attorneys’ fees and costs.

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