Rino Volp, former Vitalit CEO suing province for nearly $1.3M

Rino Volpclaims he was wrongfully dismissed as the chief executive officerof the Vitalit Health Network last November, andis seeking $1,279,132 in damages.

CBC News has obtained court documents filed by Volp's lawyers with the Court of Queen's Bench in Moncton.

In the documents, Volp says on Nov.21, 2014, he received a dismissal letter from Health Minister Victor Boudreau.

Boudreau allegedin the letter that Volp "violated the conditions of his employment contract," by refusing to collaborate with his department, provincial committees, and the Department of Social Development.

Volp denies allegations

The former Vitalit CEO has deniedall of the allegations, and saidthe province has no facts or justification for letting him go.

In anaffidavitVolpsaidBoudreau'sletter was the first time he wasmade aware of anydissatisfaction with his work.

Volp served asVitalit's CEO fromFeb.12, 2013, until his dismissal last November. Hewas fired sixweeks after Victor Boudreau was named health minister under Brian Gallant's government.

• Vitalit head Rino Volp says he was fired by health minister

• Rino Volp plans lawsuit over firing as Vitalit Health's CEO

Volp saidafterBoudreau's appointment he contacted hisoffice several times requesting a meeting with the new minister, buthe saidhe never got a meeting.

Allegations of wrongdoing, Volp said, were never brought to his attention or raised by those he worked with, including he said, Vitalit'sboard of directors. He saidhe is not awareof any complaints made about his performance.

Volp has hired the Ottawa law firm, Caza Saikaley to represent him, and his lawyers Ronald Caza and Gabriel Poliquinhavesubmitted a 739-page statement of claim.

Former health ministers supportVolp

Among the documents are five affidavits in support of Volp's work, including letters from former Progressive Conservative health minister Madeleine Dub, and Paul Couturier, the chairman of Vitalit'sboard of directors.

Mr.Volpeconducted himself at all times honestly, honourably and competently.- Former Health Minister Ted Flemming

Ted Flemming was the Progressive Conservative health minister who appointed Volp as CEO in 2013, and he submitted an affidavitdescribingVolp's work.

"I was satisfied that there was never any reason to dismiss Mr. Volpe ... Mr. Volpe conducted himself at all times honestly, honourably and competently," wrote Flemming.

Flemming also went into detail about how the health network's finances improved under Volp.

"WhenI first appointed Mr. Volp, Vitalit's deficit was of approximately $10 million," wrote Flemming.

"When I left the office of Minister of Health, Vitalit was headed for a surplus of approximately $10 million."

The provincial governmenthad little to say in response to Volp's lawsuit.

"This matter is before the courts and we cannot comment on it," said Bruce Macfarlane, communications director for theDepartment of Health.

CBC News contacted Volp for commentbut he did respond to the request.