Bismarck Tribune - Bismarck News - Jim Long responds to WSI

Jim Long responds to WSI

Feb 14, 2008 - 04:07:01 CST

By CRYSTAL R. REID
Bismarck Tribune

Jim Long, a Workforce Safety and Insurance whistleblower who was put on administrative leave, responded again to the agency's allegations and requests for clarification.

In this letter, Long said the agency continues to damage his reputation and has not provided adequate performance-related issues to support the change in his employment status.

Long was put on paid administrative leave in mid-November, shortly after filing for whistleblower protection for reporting perceived violations. He had requested information regarding his employment status, to which WSI replied on Jan. 31; the reply requested Long explain how he would repair broken employee-employer relationships, as well as explain perceived poor management and unprofessional conduct.

Long answered the allegations in another letter, saying they were unfounded and defending his decisions to release information to the public.

In Interim Executive Director John Halvorson's latest letter, dated Feb. 6, he contends Long did little to satisfy their concerns and asked him to specifically address several more.

Long's recent letter addresses the lack of performance issues recorded in his file and continues to address his perceived illegal activity of members of WSI management staff.

He also continued to contend that WSI is retaliating against him for his involvement in investigations into the agency. As of Wednesday afternoon, WSI was still reviewing Long's response.

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Comments

Editor wrote on Feb 15, 2008 2:02 PM:

" Where is the letter referred to by Oh YA??? "

Oh ya. wrote on Feb 14, 2008 10:00 PM:

" What a great letter. This would be a slam dunk for any jury.

The AG's office knows it too.

I hope Flanagan is working on a case too. It was a crime to fire him like that. "

Thanks Tribune wrote on Feb 14, 2008 8:37 PM:

" Don't let the comments of a few stop your investigative reporting. Sunlight just dosen't sit well with some folks. Absolute power corrupts absolutely. "

Why? wrote on Feb 14, 2008 12:39 PM:

" You folks at the Trubune are doing a great job. It is a very difficult job, we don't say thank you enough. Thank you for the great reporting and all the tedious work it take to do the on line editing. You do a super job! "

Why won't you show your cards Trib? wrote on Feb 14, 2008 11:18 AM:

" At its own instance and request, the Tribune was provided the proof of the documented issues that take place well before Long's Whistleblower days, but after they made WSI turn it over they will not print it or link it like they have in every other WSI story. Why? Is it because one of your employees is married to one of the WSI employees in question. Why are you afraid to show the facts? And why will you not post any of these requests to show your hand when you so freely and wantonly published so much hate and lies about WSI execs? "

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