A wrongful termination lawsuit filed against Walmart by a fired  manager is being moved to U.S. District Court.

The lawsuit, filed in Flathead County District Court in December by Julie Keyes, alleges the company fired her from the Kalispell store without good cause and in violation of its written policy and that the company slandered her by accusing her of stealing from the store.

The suit is now being moved to the national court at the request of Walmart because the company is incorporated in Delaware, with its principal place of business in Bentonville, Ark.

Documents filed by Walmart indicate the company’s stance that Keyes is not entitled to any damages, but that more than $75,000 is in dispute because Keyes earned more than that amount annually, excluding benefits.

Keyes, who was manager of the Kalispell Walmart, is seeking reimbursement for past, present and future lost wages, benefits, earnings and earnings capacity, reimbursement for emotional distress, pain and suffering, reimbursement of all attorney fees and costs and  punitive damages.

Keyes and her attorney previously declined to comment on the case. Messages left for Walmart management were never returned.

Reporter Jesse Davis may be reached at 758-4441 or by email at jdavis@dailyinterlake.com.