Former parking attendants at Northlands are suing the company and its CEO for $9.7 million, claiming defamation.

The lawsuit, filed in March at the Court of Queen's Bench, is led by 19 former employees who were fired last year.

Northlands announced in October 2015 that it was terminating all 38 members of its parking staff without cause, then spoke to several media outlets about an alleged skimming operation it had discovered.

At the time, CBC reported on a news conference held by CEO Tim Reid, who spoke publicly about two audits he said revealed losses of more than $1 million per year from parking fees at Northlands.

Reid said an audit reviewed 20 employees and concluded half of them "were not following the transaction process."

Northlands staff said it was cheaper to let all the employees go, rather than pay for a full investigation. Parking services were later contracted out to IMPARK.

The former employees' lawsuit claims the publicity hurt their chances for future employment and called into question their honesty and integrity.

The claims in the lawsuit have not been proven in court.

Northlands is a non-profit, volunteer organization that hosts K-Days and operates Northlands Park Racetrack and Casino, the EXPO Centre and Rexall Place arena.