The former manager of Kalispell’s Walmart store is suing the company, alleging wrongful discharge and slander.

In a civil lawsuit filed recently in Flathead District Court, Julie Keyes, 58, claims that when the company fired her on Aug. 10, it did so without good cause and in violation of Walmart’s written policy. She also argues that the company slandered her when she was accused of stealing from the store.

The lawsuit states that the company’s actions in firing Keyes “were done with actual fraud and or malice,” and that Keyes exhausted all possible administrative remedies before filing the lawsuit.

Keyes is seeking reimbursement for past, present and future lost wages, benefits, earnings and earnings capacity, emotional distress, pain and suffering, plus payment of attorney fees as well as punitive damages.

According to the lawsuit, Keyes had been an employee of the company since April 2002, when she was hired as a co-manager at a Utah location.

She was hired as co-manager of the Evergreen Walmart in February 2005 and later was  promoted to manager and oversaw the opening of the Super Walmart in Kalispell.

Keyes and her attorney declined to comment on the case. Messages left for Walmart management were not returned.

Reporter Jesse Davis may be reached at 758-4441 or by email at [email protected].