City of Columbus to Pay $307,495 in Whistleblower Lawsuit
By Danielle Briones
Published on March 03, 2006
In 2001, Sewer Division Manager Jeff Bertacchi wrote a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency of Ohio saying that a Jackson Pike Wastewater Treatment Plant manager should not receive a license upgrade.
Bertacchi claimed the manager had assistance filling out his application for an upgraded license from a consultant.
After the letter was written, Columbus' Utilities Director accused Bertacchi of lying and he was given a demotion.
The majority of the settlement will go to attorney fees. The remaining $22,000 will cover lost wages and other expenditures Bertacchi sustained as a result of the case.
A judge also ordered the city to give Bertacchi his former job back and provide backpay.
Bertacchi asked for an additional $200,000 in damages. His request was denied.
Under federal whistleblower guidelines, any individual or party who files a lawsuit on behalf of the government against anyone defrauding the government is eligible for a portion of the award and assured job protection.
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