NEW YORK (Reuters) -Citigroup urged a judge to dismiss a lawsuit by a former managing director who accused the bank of firing her in retaliation for refusing to give regulators false information. The third-largest U.S. bank said it lawfully terminated Kathleen Martin because she lacked the leadership and engagement skills needed for her job as interim data transformation chair, according to a Thursday night filing in Manhattan federal court. Citigroup also said Martin's allegations concerning its datagovernance metrics were not true, and that even if they were the claims she made were not protected activity under federal whistleblowing law.

Martin's lawyer Valdi Licul, from the Wigdor law firm, said Martin plans to vigorously oppose Citigroup's dismissal request.

"It is astounding that Citi can take the position that they are legally permitted to fire an employee who has made complaints about false statements to regulators," Licul said.

Citigroup declined additional comment.