Battleship resolves workplace retaliation lawsuit

WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) - The U.S.S. North Carolina Battleship has announced that a recent workplace retaliation lawsuit has been resolved.

In a lawsuit filed in April 2025, Christopher Vargo accused the executive director of the Battleship of allegedly illegally recording conversations, falsifying timekeeping records and retaliating against his assistant director.

Vargo worked for the Battleship Memorial for 12 years before his termination in January 2025. The lawsuit stated that he was fired on Jan. 24, 2025, for complaining about the Executive Director of the Battleship, Dr. Jay C. Martin’s alleged misconduct, as well as alleged violations of the federal Whistleblower Protection Act.

In the lawsuit, he was seeking compensatory damages of more than $25,000, the reinstatement of his position and the removal of Martin from his position as executive director.

The Battleship stated in a press release on Friday, Feb. 13 the lawsuit against the U.S.S. North Carolina Battleship Commission, Department of Natural and Cultural Resources and Martin has been resolved.

According to court records, Vargo voluntarily dismissed the lawsuit.

View the full statement from the U.S.S. Battleship North Carolina below: