By Breaking Celebrity News Staff

Francesco Schettino was at the helm when the Costa Concordia ran aground off the coast of Italy in January, killing 32 of his passengers, including two Americans.

Still, he's decided the cruise line had no right to fire him, and has filed a wrongful termination lawsuit.

"It is the right of every worker to appeal against his dismissal and Capt. Schettino has done no more than exercise that right," his lawyer Bruno Leporatti told Reuters.

As Breaking Celebrity News reported, the Costa Concordia was actually the second cruise ship to crash under Schettino's command.

He was later accused of abandoning the Costa Concordia while it floundered, delaying the evacuation of passengers, and of manslaughter.

The preliminary hearing for his trial begins on Monday.

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Costa Concordia Was SECOND Cruise Ship Crashed By Captain Francesco Schettino