Employers who lie at unemployment hearings

Does anyone know the penalty in Maryland for an employer who lies during an unemployment hearing? Not only did the employer lie about why I was fired (gross misconduct), but the accuser (who did not attend both meetings) falsified claims on negative write-ups that I refused to sign before I was fired a few days from returning from FMLA. In one case, I was written up for missing a deadline for a day I was at NOT work--and it was a deadline for one of my classroom assistants! Even the hearing examiner asked why there were no documents supporting "fact" that I was a menace to staff and students.

Like the guy who had his brother attorney represent him, I am seriously considering filing civil suits against those who trumped up charges before I was fired and up until that point.

BTW, great comments!

Did the UI office believe you and award you your benefits?

If yes, the penalty is that your employer gets assessed the charges for your benefits and it stops there.

One would assume that witnesses who testify at such hearings are under oath and can be prosecuted for perjury. Of course, since a perjury prosecution does the "victim" little good, the better thing to do is expose the lie by cross-examination and presenting contrary evidence.

Its your job to discredit those who testify against you either by skillful cross examination of them or your credibility on your testimony to som eover fact pattern.

Odds are most employees are only marginal at knowing rules and employers are better at it or use hired guns.

Sounds like you may have made your point and the examiner smells the employers rat--you need to wait--and if you don't like the outcome, sort out your appeal options. Use hired gun next time!

I will know soon and post results. Employment rights lawyer on standby says no matter the outcome I will win with her. Only have to $250 fee and she will have company pay her fees and settle.

Who did you use?  I'm currently dealing with a company who is using fraud to contest an unemployment claim.