Globe University Whistleblower Wins Court Decision, $400K

A former Globe University network dean was awarded $400,000 in Washington County District Court after a jury determined the school had violated Minnesota's Whistleblower Act when it terminated her contract in 2011. 

Heidi Weber, who operated the medical assistant program at several campuses from her Woodbury location, earned the victory after a jury deliberated for a full day and determined she was wrongfully fired after reporting several violations, both legal and ethical, at the school.

Weber accused the school of both exaggerating job placement rates and not delivering on "externships," something the Globe program guarantees to students.  

According to the Woodbury Bulletin, Weber said she was pleased with the result, telling the paper "All I ever wanted was for my students to get the right thing." 

Globe maintained Weber was fired for lack of leadership and poor performance, and offered a statement to Woodbury Patch. 

"Although we are extremely disappointed in the verdict, we are confident that fighting for our students and our schools is the only option," wrote Naiomi McDonald, Globe University spokesperson. "We stand by our decision to terminate Ms. Weber, maintain there was no wrongdoing and believe this decision was in the best interest of our students. Our legal counsel has filed for a new trial, and we're considering an appeal if not granted."