Today’s Department of Labor ruling in favor of Kathleen Davies in her dispute with her former boss, Auditor Tom Wagner, was no doubt satisfying for her in a professional sense. It showed that there was no factual foundation for the allegations against her, and pointed pretty clearly to another employee of the office who stepped way out of line in pursuing his or her personal, unauthorized “investigation” of Davies. When those charges were investigated, an outside agency found that at least one of the unnamed employee’s allegations was demonstrably false.
More importantly from a political standpoint, it got prominent play in the News Journal, which also used the opportunity to talk about her place in the primary race for auditor. This is the sort of publicity she should capitalize on as soon as possible. The way they used the system to muzzle her — she couldn’t quit without giving up her employment rights, but she couldn’t say or do anything as long as they kept paying her.
One thing the story didn’t follow up on: The unnamed worker who started all this. I would like some assurances that this worker has been severely disciplined for the unauthorized “investigation” and smears against Davies, which has cost the state well into six figures. And I’m pretty sick and tired of the “personnel issue” dodge for keeping everything secret. These motherfuckers work for the taxpayers. Let them answer to their employers, the people.