A Florida-based IT professional and U.S. Army Reserve member has filed a lawsuit alleging wrongful termination due to military service obligations. On November 25, 2025, Joshua M. Mathieu submitted an amended complaint in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia against Ampcus, Inc., Palo Alto Networks, Inc., and Nationwide Mutual Insurance Corporation. The suit claims violations of the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA), which protects military service members from employment discrimination.
The lawsuit centers around Mathieu’s claim that his employment was unjustly terminated by Palo Alto Networks and Nationwide Mutual Insurance Corporation after he was called for a 20-day military duty in October 2024. Mathieu had been working as a cybersecurity engineer through Ampcus, which had assigned him to work with Palo Alto Networks. Despite notifying his employers about his military orders, Mathieu alleges that upon returning from duty, he was informed by Palo Alto’s representative that his absence interfered with billable hours for their clients, leading to his termination. “Mr. Knight indicated Mr. Mathieu was being fired… because his military absence was interfering with the time that he should be billing Palo Alto’s client(s),” the complaint states.
Mathieu further accuses Ampcus and Palo Alto of failing to reemploy him after completing his military service, another violation under USERRA. The law mandates employers to reinstate employees who return from military duty within certain conditions, which Mathieu asserts were not met despite his compliance with all necessary notifications and timelines.
In addition to seeking monetary damages including liquidated damages under USERRA provisions, Mathieu is requesting attorney fees and litigation expenses be covered by the defendants. He also seeks equitable relief as deemed appropriate by the court to address the alleged violations of his employment rights.
Representing Joshua M. Mathieu are attorneys Pamela Johnson Branch and Sean C. Timmons from Tully Rinckey PLLC law firm. The case is being presided over by Judge Leonie M. Brinkema under Case ID 1:25-cv-02151-LMB-LRV.
Source: 125cv02151_Mathieu_v_Ampcus_Inc_Complaint_Eastern_District_Virginia.pdf
