Abbey Healthcare Challenges Suit Alleging Wrongful Termination

Challenging a wrongful termination lawsuit brought by its former president, Abbey Healthcare Group Inc. said Wednesday it has filed several counterclaims against Victor Chaltiel.

The Costa Mesa-based provider of home health-care services said it is seeking “substantial monetary relief” for certain representations Chaltiel allegedly made before he joined Abbey late last year. Chaltiel became Abbey’s president and chief executive officer after Abbey bought Total Pharmaceuticals, where Chaltiel had been president and CEO.

In February, Abbey said Chaltiel had resigned. Chaltiel sued Abbey shortly afterward for more than $6 million for allegedly using “heavy-handed, bad-faith tactics” to eliminate Chaltiel’s employment contract. The case is now pending before the American Arbitration Assn. in Los Angeles.