Jury Awards Ex-Principal $126,000 in Firing

A Superior Court jury has awarded $126,000 to a former Bridgeport elementary school principal who said he was fired after a school employee made uncorroborated allegations that he abused students.

The Connecticut Post reports that the jury found that Andrew Cimmino was the victim of a scheme by two former school employees, Maria Marcoccia and Sally Lyddy, that led to his firing in 2010.

The jury's award is for pay Cimmino lost when he was fired. The jury also found punitive damages that must be decided by a Superior Court judge.

Cimmino's lawyer said the final verdict could exceed $250,000

Thomas Cotter, the lawyer representing Marcoccia and Lyddy, said he will appeal.

The two women are liable for the verdict. The judge refused Cotter's request to throw out the verdict.