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(STEVE ARSTAD / iNFOnews.ca)

The former Ooknakane Friendship Centre executive director claims the non-profit wrongfully dismissed him and damaged his reputation, according to a recently filed B.C. Supreme Court lawsuit in Penticton.

Matthew Baran headed the non-profit from November 2020 until August 2022, when the board of directors "fabricated" claims he mismanaged finances, court documents read.

He claims it began with a staff member's allegations of sexual harassment from a member of the board in December 2021 who refused to recuse himself from a workplace investigation.

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The board "retaliated" and directed a workplace investigator to look into Baran's performance, questioning his financial management of the non-profit. That same month, Baran took a leave of absence to care for his sick mother, then continued on his own medical leave in February.

After having his office "ransacked" and employment agreement "tampered with" Baran claims the investigation into his management was an "orchestrated" attempt to get rid of non-First Nations employees, according to court documents.

Current friendship centre executive director Shauna Fox refused to comment when contacted by iNFOnews.ca.

Board president Bruce Manuel also refused to comment when he answered a phone call from iNFOnews.ca while meeting with the non-profit's lawyer.

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It's not clear whether the sexual harassment claims were substantiated. The board was given preliminary findings on the investigation but then it "stagnated," according to court documents. Baran goes on to claim the separate investigation into his alleged financial mismanagement was unsubstantiated, which he learned after speaking to the workplace investigator.

Baran was paid around $87,000 per year, along with bonuses. Although he resigned from the non-profit in August 2022, he claims it amounted to a constructive dismissal for breaching his employment terms.

Along with seeking costs for wrongful termination and unpaid bonuses, he's seeking costs for the damage to his reputation. Court documents claim the friendship centre "thwarted" his attempts to find work in the non-profit sector.

None of his claims have been proven in court and the friendship centre hasn't responded to the March 7 court filing.

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