Former employee says DHEC stopped investigation
COLUMBIA — A former investigator with the Department of Health and Environmental Control says the agency pulled back from an investigation after a complaint from a state official.
The State newspaper reports that Christopher D. Phillips of Elgin sued DHEC in federal court Wednesday, saying he was punished for trying to do his job. Phillips is seeking $500,000 in actual damages and undisclosed punitive damages because he was transferred.
Phillips said he had evidence for an arrest, but was dropped from the probe after giving his findings to DHEC officials.
DHEC spokesman Thom Berry said the agency would not talk about the case.
Phillips' lawyer said the investigation focused on an asbestos case, but the lawsuit does not specify the subject of the probe. The suit does not name the elected officials it says complained.
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Comments
This article has 5 comment(s)
Posted by SpiderJohn on November 20, 2008 at 10:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Good ole boy politics in SC....as usual!
Posted by mkris on November 20, 2008 at 11:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This isn't good ol' boy politics. This is corruption, influence peddling-- plain and simple. WHY DID THE NEWSLESS COURIER FAIL TO DISCLOSE THE NAME OF THE ACCUSED POLITICIAN?
Posted by BulldogTLC on November 20, 2008 at 11:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The newspaper didn't fail to disclose the name of the politician, the lawsuit did not disclose the name.
Posted by SpiderJohn on November 20, 2008 at 11:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
mk - in this state corruption and influence peddling are an everyday occurance with our politicians.
Posted by bigwhip on November 20, 2008 at 11:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Surprise!!!!! Really. Standard operating procedure for this bunch.