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Thursday, September 23, 2010
Environment - More on: Problems at Michigan City sanitary district?
Updating this lengthy ILB entry from June 4, 2010, Gitte Laasby of the Gary Post-Tribune reports today:
MICHIGAN CITY -- In a settlement with the state, the Michigan City Sanitary District agreed Wednesday to pay a former employee and whistleblower $215,000.The settlement, approved Wednesday, is believed to be the largest amount an employer has paid for violating whistleblower protection laws under state statute in the recent history of the Indiana Department of Labor.
Whistleblower Ron Meer was terminated in April after he made three complaints to the state about workplace safety and health violations.
"It was a pretty egregious violation as I understand it," Indiana Attorney General spokesman Bryan Corbin said. "He tried to go through the official channels to report the wrongdoing and was rebuffed and, in fact, was retaliated against. Indiana's whistleblower protection laws make it quite clear that employers can't do that. This employer did. By agreeing to the settlement, they acknowledge -- whether they say so publicly or not -- by signing the paperwork, they acknowledge that unlawful retaliation occurred."
The district officially denies the claims but settled instead of going to court, the attorney general's office said in a statement.
Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller and Labor Commissioner Lori Torres sued the district on June 29 for illegally terminating Meer after he complained to the Indiana Occupational Health and Safety Administration.
Posted by Marcia Oddi on September 23, 2010 12:30 PM
Posted to Environment