Letter: Nowak Union endangered players, fostered hostile work environment

FORMER UNION manager Peter Nowak endangered his players, created a hostile work environment and was insubordinate to his superiors, according to his letter of termination, a copy of which was obtained by the Daily News.

The letter from Pennsylvania Professional Soccer LLC also claims that during his time as manager, Nowak showed little regard for player safety, specifically noting that he directed "strenuous training activities" in excessive heat, denying players access to water. The letter also alleges Nowak withheld injury information from the training staff, a serious violation of MLS rules.

Other incidents of insubordination, physical confrontation with opposing players and officials and even hazing of Union players are alleged in the two-page letter. Lastly, it demands the immediate repayment of a $46,041 loan.

The letter is dated June 13, the same day the club held a news conference to announce John Hackworth would take over as interim manager.

Nowak, who filed a wrongful-termination lawsuit against PPS and Keystone Sports and Entertainment LLC in federal court last week, wants at least $150,000 after he rejected a separation agreement that would have paid him through Dec. 31, 2012. Nowak was looking for the organization to honor the terms in his contract to pay him through the end of 2015. In the suit, he also alleges that repayment of the loan would cause him "immediate and material harm."

"Basically, we don't believe that the claims that have been made comport with the requirements made in his contract," said Clifford Haines, Nowak's Center City-based attorney, of the law firm Haines and Associates. "In part, I don't know who, what or when this occurred and when they claim it happened, so the question is, is it accurate?"

Union officials were not available for comment regarding the termination letter. In reference to the lawsuit, CEO and managing partner Nick Sakiewicz contends that "the team disputes the allegations in the complaint and will vigorously defend against the lawsuit."

Nowak was suspended for three matches after entering the field of play and shoving Chivas USA goalkeeper Dan Kennedy in the Union's April 21 match at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. This is the only known public incident of "physical confrontation." When Haines was told by the Daily News that broadcast footage could corroborate the club's claim in this instance, he replied:

"Again, I don't want to comment on specific claims or go back and forth answering these claims in the media. This is something that will have to be handled in a courtroom by a judge, and that's really all I have to say about it at this time."