The nurse couple whose adult Internet site precipitated their firing from a hospital here have appealed the firing formally, seeking reinstatement and back pay.
George and Tracy Miller, who say they launched the site on their own time and equipment to help finance their children's college education, say in the appeal that Scottsdale Healthcare Hospital cannot fire employees merely for exercising their First Amendment rights.
Scottsdale Healthcare says the Millers will meet with a supervisor who will handle their appeal, with a decision possible within three weeks.
The hospital has told the Arizona Republic the Millers were fired for violating sexual harassment policies, based on an allegation that the couple tried to recruit fellow hospital staffers to appear on the site. The Millers deny the allegation and say they committed no sexual harassment violations, nor did they "execute the 'morality' disciplinary policy instituted after their suspension, and that the termination is a violation of public policy."
Their attorney, Lawrence Walters of Winter Park, FL, says the Millers want to give the hospital a chance to reconsider the firings before the couple takes the hospital to court. "Reinstating the Millers," Walters says, "will save the hospital substantial legal costs and embarrassment."
In the formal appeal, Tracy Miller, whose website identifies her as Dakota Rae, also says the site (www.touchable.com) violated no Internet policy "for none (was) in place," and she is also demanding a public apology from the hospital.
