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WSI fires three

TOM STROMME/Tribune Workforce Safety and Insurance board chair Brad Ballweber, center, listens to board members on speakerphone at Wednesday morning's meeting. In back are Anne Green, left, and Jodi Bjornson.

Mar 14, 2008 - 00:07:01 CDT

By TONY SPILDE
Bismarck Tribune

Thud, clunk, thump.

Those were the sounds of the other shoes dropping, the fallout many saw coming after a well-publicized review of North Dakota's worker's compensation agency.

The agency on Wednesday fired three of its top executives, shaking things up as recommended in a third-party analysis released last week.

Newly unemployed are Kay Grinsteinner, Jim Long and Billi Peltz.

Among other findings, the Conolly &Associates report called for the restructuring of management at Workforce Safety and Insurance. The agency has followed through, terminating three employees who had previously filed for "whistleblower" status, fearing they'd be fired for speaking up about perceived problems at WSI.

Grinsteinner was internal audit manager. Long and Peltz worked in the human resources department.

They were let go in three separate and quick actions Wednesday, though the possibility of their dismissal had been the subject of community discussion for quite a while.

The issue goes back several months, to when Grinsteinner claimed to have found information damning to WSI. She said there was evidence the agency might have inappropriately denied claims to injured workers. She also claimed to have obtained a journal belonging to WSIcommunications executive Mark Armstrong, in which there was an indication Armstrong was leaking agency information to the press via a third party.

Long and Peltz said they cooperated with law enforcement during an investigation into the alleged wrongdoing. Because of that, they said, they feared for their jobs and filed for whistleblower protection under the state's Public Employees Relations Act. A fourth whistleblower, WSI fraud investigator Todd Flanagan, was fired in December.

But the third-party audit, called for by Gov. John Hoeven, found no basis for Grinsteinner's claims.

Rather, it said she had a "profound misunderstanding of her role" as internal auditor, "and a disturbing sense of self-importance and lack of judgment." The review also said HR leadership had to be strengthened and trust in the department restored.

Acting on the report, WSI's Audit Committee met Wednesday morning and voted 4-0 to fire Grinsteinner. The termination, which came with no severance package, was effective immediately. Right after the meeting, Peltz and Long were notified by interim CEOJohn Halvorson that they were being fired as part of the agency's reorganization. Again, no severance.

In a statement from Armstrong, WSIsaid Long's job was being eliminated "to accomplish a flatter organizational structure." Long had been on paid leave since November.

In his termination notice, Halvorson told Long "the acting senior management team confirms there is no confidence in your ability to return to WSI and effectively lead."

Long had his own take on the proceedings, and said he would file a lawsuit challenging his dismissal.

"It's kind of D-day for whistleblowers," he said. "It was just a matter of time for them to conjure up enough gumption to actually pull the trigger. Very obviously to anyone who looks at this, is it's in retaliation for folks that were cooperating with law-enforcement officers."

Peltz said her termination was a farce.

"What happened today is clearly retaliation,"she said. "Three people were terminated due to the Conolly report, and all three happen to be whistleblowers? The Conolly report is a farce, and the executive team who are truly responsible for the issues at WSI are still employed. The issues at WSI will remain as long as the current executive staff and legal staff remain."

Grinsteinner referred questions to her attorney, Mike Geiermann. He said it was hard to believe that after spending more than $300,000 on the reviews, this is what transpired.

"It's beyond comprehension that after the state of North Dakota spends thousands of dollars to investigate WSIand its services to the injured workers, the four whistleblowers are the only people that get terminated,"Geiermann said. "It's clearly, in our opinion, retaliation for claiming whistleblower status and the actions that were taken by these people to report what they perceived as (problems) in the agency."

Long said the actions should serve as notice to other state employees.

"The message this sends to every state employee in North Dakota is, if something is going on in any agency that's illegal or unethical, they just better shut up about it because this is what happens," he said.

But the Audit Committee, in its termination of Grinsteinner, said the message was something else entirely.

"The internal audit manager position is extremely important at WSI," committee member Mark Jackson said. "If we're going to ensure the needs of injured workers are protected, we need someone who can perform the duties of internal audit manager as intended. The Conolly report makes it crystal clear that Ms. Grinsteinner is not doing that, and is incapable of doing it in the future. We need to find someone who can."

Board member Mark Gjovig, former chairman of the Audit Committee, agreed with Jackson.

"It was unfortunate that (Grinsteinner) put the staff, the board and even the entire state through this,"Gjovig said before the vote to terminate her. "It's a huge expense that never had to take place if these statements weren't made, if these actions hadn't been taken. I don't see any more way to work with her. I can't. The staff can't. I don't see any other way. Ihave a total lack of trust in her and no confidence in her ability to perform her job."

The only dissenting opinion at Wednesday's meeting belonged to WSIboard member Ed Grossbauer, who had no say in Grinsteinner's future because he wasn't on the Audit Committee. He agreed Grinsteinner shouldn't have rifled through Armstrong's desk, but said that doesn't negate the findings.

"They were painting with a broad brush, saying she was doing an ineffective job, when in fact they don't like what she's finding,"Grossbauer said. "The fact of the matter is, what she found (in Armstrong's journal, about information leaked to the media) was damaging not only to Mr. Armstrong, but also the organization.

"There's a big pitcher of Kool-Aid that was poured," Grossbauer said, "and I think I'm the only one not drinking it."

WSI officials hope to hire a new interim CEO - also based on a recommendation by Conolly - soon. Hoeven's pick would be former Fargo Mayor Bruce Furness. The Tribune tried to reach Hoeven, but was unsuccessful. Ryan Bernstein, Hoeven's attorney, said they didn't have a problem with WSIacting on the personnel matters before the new CEO was hired.

"It appears with all of these changes that WSI is moving forward to implement the recommendations from the outside consultant,"Bernstein said. "When the new CEO comes in, and we hope that's soon, that individual can move forward and get some people in there and they can all move forward together."

Brad Ballweber, chairman of the Audit Committee, said WSIwould advertise soon to replace Grinsteinner. Armstrong's statement said WSI would also immediately begin the search for Peltz's replacement. Long's position was eliminated.

Halvorson - who wrote Long's termination letter and gave Peltz the choice of resigning or being fired Wednesday - declined to comment, saying any information was in the statement sent by Armstrong.

For more on that, see the sidebar to this story, with the headline "WSI to reorganize."

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Comments

NICE CALL wrote on Mar 18, 2008 8:41 PM:

" Brenda after all of the audits, reviews, whistleblowers, and first hand accounts of the horrible stuff that has happened at WSI, your explanation may be the silliest put forth by Blunt, Indvik, Armstrong, Halvorson, Bjornson, Mandigo, Spencer and Wallein and that's quite a bunch to beat at silly. Things were dramatized and you blame that? Let's see, over 80 people were run out of the agency (better than a third of the staff), some employee and ex-employee's photos were illegally downloaded from the drivers license site and shown around at libraries and post offices like they were convicted felons, hundreds of thousands of dollars of audits and consultants were hired and all pointed to the horrible employee morale at WSI, employees and former management were humiliated by a vindictive arrogant bully and you feel it was all over-dramatized. You sound like you graduated sixth grade like Jethro Bodine. Hint for your future assessments, when this many people complain, when this many sources cite arrogance and poor management it's usually not a conspiracy, it's what they said, arrogance and poor management.

"

AND ANOTHER THING wrote on Mar 16, 2008 1:39 PM:

" To Brenda, there was no third party corroboration? Come on the original state audiitors report had several things in it that the $400 per hour consultants simply repeated. Poor employee morale, horrible management practices, the board is disconnected and needs to meet more often, etc do I have to go on? No one has independently investigated all the whistleblower concerns, no one INDEPENDENT. The first people who should be fired are the ones who contributed to all of this as part of Blunt's inner circle, and that included Halvorson, Bjornson, Mary Marthaller, and Wahlein. If the board wants credibility, if the new interim CEO wants credibility, if the organization ever wants to be trusted by the injured workers, the pubic and the legislators, they better get some new players in management.

"

DAZED & CONFUSED wrote on Mar 15, 2008 4:54 PM:

" How can anyone say that these "Whistleblowers" were lying about everything..Seems to me they hit a BIG nerve when they started talking..Seems to me that everybody is mad about "HOW" they did it, instead of "What's Being Said"!!!
I would like to Thank these people for bringing this to the attention of North Dakota Citizens. I just hope we can do something about it...
Now all we have to do is wait for the "WSI Officials" to hire Their new YES Man!! OOPS, I better watch my mouth............... "

Why? wrote on Mar 14, 2008 10:08 PM:

" Why so sad Brad, Anne and Jodi? Almost look like you feel guilty about something. What's up with that? "

Corruption wrote on Mar 14, 2008 3:50 PM:

" WSI may not be Jack the Ripper but they are holding his coat. If the state loses population getting rid of this garbage so be it. I've been following this from the beginning and it stinks to high heaven. Time to let the Democrats have a shot at it-it can't get any worse. Sorry Ricky, John and Wayne. Politics has festered into the AG dept. and it shows. People are fed up-big time. "

Dakota wrote on Mar 14, 2008 3:34 PM:

" Does WSI really need an overpaid spokesperson?, couldnt the person in charge talk to us directly? Clean house some more, it needs a real good house cleaning. We need to start from scratch in my opinion. "

Captain Crunch wrote on Mar 14, 2008 11:31 AM:

" WSI is no longer news. "

MamaMia wrote on Mar 14, 2008 8:51 AM:

" To: To Three not Five: Yes, you're right. The truth WILL set you free. . . from your job if you work at WSI. Others are right about state employees getting a message from all this, but this is nothing new to state government. I know someone who worked at the State Lab over 30 years ago. He discovered that the head chemist at the lab was writing reports for the police on confiscated drugs without actually analyzing the drugs. In effect, he was basically in bed with the cops. My friend reported this to his supervisor, the head of the lab and eventually went to the Attorney General. A few weeks later a meeting was held with him, the rogue chemist and the head of the lab. My friend was told to shut his mouth and do his job if he WANTED a job. The more things change the more they stay the same, I guess. "

All You Need To Know wrote on Mar 14, 2008 6:27 AM:

" There was no independent investigation into whether or not the claims of the whistleblowers were fact or fiction.

"

Selective outrage wrote on Mar 14, 2008 3:39 AM:

" The Board has such selective outrage. Where was their outrage when Blunt, Leingang, and Bjornson decided it was ok to take employee's personal data from the DOT, illegally, and then show those pictures to post office and library employees like some kind of criminal line up? That's right, they weren't outraged. They actually supported the three and rewarded them all. Where was their outrage when the public information officer was found to have been handing out personnel files without notifying the employees that he was doing so and also not charging his friend for the copies of the files? No outrage there either. I guess a journal, written on WSI paper and kept at WSI is much more private and deserves a higher level of protection in their eyes. Are they aware that WSI management routinely goes through the computers of their employees and tracks their e-mails even though they might be personal? Again, probably not as high of a need for privacy there as a WSI purchased steno pad on property. I would have more respect and faith in the WSI Board if their outrage wasn't so selective and obviously contrived. The internal auditor had very good reason to do what she did. The Board is almost like the three monkeys, see no evil, hear so evil, speak no evil. They keep their eyes and ears shut to the truth, but aren't afraid to claim their false outrage. They claimed to Conolly that they had no knowledge of the employer services upset. If that were so, why aren't they furious at Bjornson and Halvorson for keeping this little fact from them. Pretty hard to be effective if they are told that all is well.

"

Leslie wrote on Mar 13, 2008 9:27 PM:

" It was time to clean house. None of these people could be trusted. The audit showed that Grinnsteiner was incompetent and did not understand the scope of her job. How much more money do we as North Dakotans want to spend on audits and investigations? This audit committee was approved by Hoeven. They gave their findings and still there are many who choose not to believe what was in the report. Let's clean house, and get back to the business of the injured workers. It seems like a bunch of school kids fighting on the playground and enough is enough! Maybe once they're all gone, the organization can have some peace. I'm so sick of the fighting and hearing it in the news every other day! "

Kimberly wrote on Mar 13, 2008 8:57 PM:

" Everyday Guy, don't you know that all the problems at WSI were caused by the whistleblowers and the Tribune? Now that the whistleblowers are gone, I guess the next step is to shut down the Tribune(?). "

Kimberly wrote on Mar 13, 2008 8:56 PM:

" Brenda, there was third-party evidence to begin with - the original audits. Why do you think that these reviews are more credible? And, I have a drama queen sister, as well, but I also have a brain, and can see the forest through the trees. Corianne, let's assume all the whistleblowers are bad, and liars. That being the case, explain to us why WSI wouldn't allow general employees to speak to the HP without the WSI attorneys present? You and Brenda probably also believe that Nixon wasn't involved with Watergate. If WSI wants a flatter organizational structure, get rid of this worthless board. The only one with any integrity is Grossbauer. I suppose they'll find some reason to get rid of him, now. And the comment about the whistleblower allegations not being investigated is right on. Just as employees can't speak up, for fear of losing their jobs. Although, I'd like to see former employees step forward. "

Happy wrote on Mar 13, 2008 5:47 PM:

" This department has had a long history of problems.
It doesn't matter if the Republicans or the Democrats are in the Governor's office. Perhaps it's time to consider getting the whole mess out of the political arena and privatise the whole thing.
After all what we are actually talking about is disability coverage and it's probably best left to a company with disability experience.
Could even cost less? "

HATE TO INTERRUPT A COVER UP WITH THE TRUTH wrote on Mar 13, 2008 5:29 PM:

" To right decision, I hope you are better at insurance auditing than you are at spelling. How dare you accuse the whistleblowers of going off on their own, do you have any idea what its like at WSI. Where else are they going to turn to? Blunt and the board ran off 80 employees (some long term well respected ones), the place is paralyzed with distrust, retribution and fear. Believe it or not some people won't just do anything for a big salary. Some (like Jim Long) found their conscience after being on the "dark side" while othes (Grinsteinner) never compromised theirs. Should you or anyone else want to compare their actions to those of Blunt, Spencer, Bjornson, Armstrong, Indvik, Mandigo, Keiser, Wald, Klein, Wahlein and the other Blunt disciples, let's go.

"

INCREDIBLE wrote on Mar 13, 2008 5:19 PM:

" TO to Mike, correction the auditors office audit did not look at claims which is why they never refer to them.
To Corriane, will you please think before you speak? The whistleblowers had an agenda? No one has an agenda when compared to WSI board and management. Geez they get rid of 1/3 of the staff (Blunt and his cronies), they fought ever audit done (Board, Blunt, Keiser, Wald, Klein), they met secretly to get rid of the state's attorney (Blunt, Scates, Keiser, Armstrong), they met secretly to write bogus letters to the editor and have friends sign them (Keiser, Wald, Amstrong, MCGYVER, etc), they conspire to get any employees who speak up. Agenda's? Please.
To Brenda, conspiracy theorists? You have got to be kidding me. If everyone listened to Blunt and the board, the auditors office, DOT, highway patrol,attorney general, state's attorney, bureau of criminal investigations and of course Octagon were in some massive conspriacy to get them. All those parties were wrong, but Blunt and Indvik were right? No one on the planet but the kool-aid drinkers can really say there were conspiracy theories as they are the champs. "

Confused wrote on Mar 13, 2008 4:54 PM:

" I read through the Conolly report briefly this morning. After reading the report, very briefly, I can understand why Grinsteinner was let go and why Long's position was eliminated. What I don't understand is why the HR Manager was let go. I didn't see anything disparaging about her specifically in the report. Who can shed some light on this? "

Stand Tall wrote on Mar 13, 2008 2:42 PM:

" Oh, yes the Ohioans are gone. Isn't it interesting that of the 4 members of Sandy's gang, only 1 left on her own terms. All four of these gang members caused so much damage at WSI, I hope all four move together too. After all four arrived in ND, former Ohio co-workers shared some interesting stories with WSI staff. It seemed as though Ohio was glad all 4 were gone; now we know why. I guess they can jump on that bus and head out that so many people were kicked off of during their stay in ND. Ironic, how no one knew for the last 3 years that only 4 passengers would be left riding that bus; I'm visualizing Armstrong running behind waving and yelling, "please take me with you" not yet realizing yet that that particular bus made a wrong stop. Adios Sandy & Gang; don't come back now, ye hear. "

Stand Tall wrote on Mar 13, 2008 2:31 PM:

" this is interesting. "Green wrote on Mar 13, 2008 1:03 PM: To this day the whistle blowers claims have not been investigated.

That pretty much sums up it up. Don't need to know much more than that. "

Good point - how does anyone know if they were telling or not telling the truth if the claims have never been investigated? As an ex-employee, I know some pretty interesting things. How can the latest audit make their determinations if an investigation has never been conducted. Did the latest audit solely place their trust in the legal staff to come up with their conclusions on Grinsteinner and the others?

Does anyone know if the investigations will ever take place? Just because the whisleblowers aren't there anymore, doesn't mean the investigation should not go forward. Mr. Editor please clarify who's in charge of this investigation process so the public can contact that office. It's really sad when general members of the public have to ensure accountability with these government agencies. It's really hard to keep a database of audits and investigations in the works at WSI because there are so many. Which reminds me, what happened to the ICF survey/audit done on the moral at WSI. What became of that? "

schputz wrote on Mar 13, 2008 2:26 PM:

" The board needs to resign. Take a lesson from New York's Governor, there is enough turmoil at WSI, resign and get out. Give some else a chance to clean up this mess.. "

GOD wrote on Mar 13, 2008 2:07 PM:

" I think the WSI needs to start from scratch. All I read is problems after problems. "

to Mike wrote on Mar 13, 2008 1:37 PM:

" Connolly wasn't the only ones looking at claims, so did Marsh. They reviewed something like 480 claims and came to the same conclusion at Connolly. WSI sees over 23,000 claims a year so it would be impossible to review all the claims, but just like the SAO they took a sample. Remember the SAO report said nothing about denying claims. The three who spoke up were troublemakers, the other two who were fired were organization supporters and were not outspoken one way or the other. "

Green wrote on Mar 13, 2008 1:03 PM:

" "To this day the whistle blowers claims have not been investigated."

That pretty much sums up it up. Don't need to know much more than that. "

Right Decision wrote on Mar 13, 2008 12:56 PM:

" I've been silently reading all the commotion at the WSI in the past yr. As an independent auditor of reinsurance and insurance companies all over the US, I am glad to see these troublemakers fired. Clearly, they did not follow the reporting protocols within WSI in hopes of positive discourse and outcomes in-house. Instead they decided to "act alone" as insubordinate troublemakers, who have eventually cause an immeasurable amount of damage to WSI, the state of North Dakota and countless jobs, lives and families. There is no perfect workplace!!! I am frustrated that the action of a few bad eggs have received so much attention and that the innocent were presumed "Guilty" first. Good Riddens ~ "

Mike wrote on Mar 13, 2008 12:36 PM:

" I don't know these people that got canned but I will say that I doubt this Connolly company reviewed all claims made. Maybe the auditor reviewed some claimes that Connolly did not. I definately think it is odd that only the ones that spoke out are getting fired. Did Connolly say anything about getting rid of the board? "

LJ wrote on Mar 13, 2008 12:22 PM:

" To Brenda and Happy. Take your blinders off and look at the bigger picture. To this day the whistle blowers claims have not been investigated. The only thing that has been done is a so called independent audit that interviewed the supposed wrong doers and then determined that the whistle blowers were not being truthful. If you or anyone else thinks that this so called audit is worth the paper it is written on I have some ocean front property for sale just outside of Bismarck. There needs to be an investigation that follows the safety grant money. You may be surprised where this money is ending up. I hope Hoeven is updating his resume or maybe getting ready for a state sponsored holiday in prison if the money trail leads where I think it does. To me he is acting like he has something to hide. But maybe that is just me. "

Happy wrote on Mar 13, 2008 11:49 AM:

" The right thing happened this time - Clean house, send a message and move forward with a new stucture and culture. "

to Three not Five wrote on Mar 13, 2008 11:32 AM:

" I am not talking about Sandy. The two others were Malling and Hutchings. So yes all the Ohio folks are gone, didn't know that North Dakota was so exclusive, but I would guess our treatment of outsiders is why our population is declining. The message for state workers is not shut up and it is inappropriate for Long to say. The message is make sure you are telling the truth and your intentions are pure before you run to the papers and the state auditor about wrong doings. The truth will set you free. "

Brenda wrote on Mar 13, 2008 11:02 AM:

" Heh, heh! "You and your WSI buddies..."

I am not a supporter of WSI or the management and have always felt that they incorrectly handled a lot of things and they could get away with it because there was ineffective oversight--or a lack thereof. I just took the whistleblowers - and WSI supporters - with a grain of salt because we had no third-party evidence. Now we do and it's clear to me that there were a lot of false accusations based off bad information and subjective interpretations of what was going on.

Besides, I'm a woman and have a little sister who is quite the drama queen, so I can sense when drama takes over, blurring facts and causing people to act on impulse rather than insight. I'm sorry, but I truly think a lot of this was dramatized causing a lot of otherwise avoidable damage within the agency. "

Scared wrote on Mar 13, 2008 10:55 AM:

" Long's comment about the message this sends to state workers is very true. I am a state worker and know very well to keep my mouth shut. "

Kimberly wrote on Mar 13, 2008 10:46 AM:

" Brenda, no one said the whistleblowers were saints. We have 2 reviews initially, showing bad morale, etc. Nothing is done about them, and then info starts leaking out to the media. WSI board/management and their supporters claim to have facts disputing what is being said, but nothing is submitted. Employees are afraid to talk, and no protection is given to them, to do so. Now, we spend more money on more reviews, and come up with results backing the firing of the whistleblowers? There is corruption here, and you and your WSI buddies can spout what you want. As I stated in another blog, the war is not over. You can't fool all of the people, all of the time. "

Spelling wrote on Mar 13, 2008 10:41 AM:

" I believe the Trib should be spelling 'Connolly' with two n's, not one. Leo got it right! "

Three not Five wrote on Mar 13, 2008 10:26 AM:

" Armstrong still has a job and Blunt was not fired. That is why he got a severance that will pay him till Oct. of this year. So yes this is one sided. If this was not one sided why didn’t any of the others get a severance package? Or just demoted? "

Jason wrote on Mar 13, 2008 10:08 AM:

" Does this mean that everyone Blunt brought in from Ohio are now gone? "

Cindy wrote on Mar 13, 2008 10:01 AM:

" Five Not Three

Who were the other two? "

Brenda wrote on Mar 13, 2008 9:51 AM:

" I agree with Corianne. Why is it so hard to believe that the whistleblowers were not the saints they hoped we would view them as. It seemed clear that they had poor judgement and that the rank and file staff in the agency did not consider them very trustworthy. After all, in the report the HR Director admitted that she was incapable of doing her job: "Employees at all levels of the organization advised that with respect to problems in their work environment, HR would be the "last place" they would go for redress or support." That doesn't sound like an effect HR department to me.

I think the results of the reports should be taken seriously and with respect - even if they didn't turn out the way the conspiracy theorists wanted it to. In the end, it appears the drama was just that - a conspiracy theory. "

Five not Three wrote on Mar 13, 2008 9:03 AM:

" By the way there were five firings yesterday not three. The other two were from the Sandy Blunt crew, plus Armstrong got demoted. So this is not a one sided deal. "

Not Whistleblowers wrote on Mar 13, 2008 8:50 AM:

" The whistleblower law is predicated on you telling the truth and not making things up for personal or political gain. Both Jim and Kay both put themselves on the line by saying that claims were being denied purposefully without any proof. Now that the proof is that the organization is not, and everyone knew they were not, should it be such a shock that the board and organization doesn’t trust them anymore. The only mockery perpetrated here is that these people think that the whistleblowers law is there to protect their lies. "

MamaMia wrote on Mar 13, 2008 8:34 AM:

" Republican heads will roll over this. . . "

The sad part wrote on Mar 13, 2008 8:09 AM:

" The people that are responsible ofr the problems at WSI are still employed there. Armstrong, Halvorson, Bjornson, and Schumacher should have also been shown the door. Until these 4 people and probably a few others still need to be removed from there positions.

Something else I want to know is this. WSI eliminated 2 other positions and those people are also out the door. Why then when Armstrongs executive position eliminated was he not shown the door? But instead they just moved him under the legal team. Which I think is an interesting move in and of itself. Armstrong probably doesn't even know the traffic laws, oh wait I don't think he does have you ever seen him drive that huge van. "

Corrianne wrote on Mar 13, 2008 8:05 AM:

" How come everyone assumes the whistleblowers had WSI's best interests at heart? Could it possibly be that they selfishly had their own agendas? I think the comments from the audit committee about Kay Grinnsteiner and her lack of understanding and self-importance says alot. According to the report, she clearly was not doing her job. Why allow her to stay just because she filed for whistleblower protection. If these people were incompetent, then they should not have their jobs. This audit committe was one approved by Governor Hoeven. If you can't trust what they have to say, then who can you trust. They are an independent outside party. "

Diggs wrote on Mar 13, 2008 8:03 AM:

" WSI finally got what they needed - a report that pointed out problems and gave them an excuse to fire the whistleblowers. Then you have the "empty suit" Hoeven giving is approval to the actions. This has got to be the single biggest farce in the history of North Dakota. In another newspaper you have the ultra-concerned conservative Rick Berg saying he did not like what the board did. Hey, you get what you create and did not want to fix Ricky. Lest us not forget his friends Georgie Keiser, Frankie Wald, Markie Armstrong and the Chamber of Commerce. Finally to top it off, Bjornson keeps her job even after idiotic advice and Halvorson is unscathed - don't you love the leadership?
Please - people of ND wake up and vote the Republicans in to non-existence. "

Everyday Guy wrote on Mar 13, 2008 7:01 AM:

" I don't know alot about these things but someone please tell me if I have this right. The board of directors is saying that all of WSI's problems are because people the whistleblowers, pointed out what they saw as big problems, and that them doing that is what caused all the problems? And then all of the whistleblowers are fired except for the WSI attorney who I think also filed for whistleblower but her husband is an attorney with a different state section who is working with the legislature in some way on the WSI situation, if I understand this right? Do I have this right? It doens't seem possible. "

no surprise wrote on Mar 13, 2008 6:34 AM:

" Most people will be shocked by this. But, Really di we not see this coming. WSI is out of control. They have doctors on the pay roll. So, workiers have no say in medical treatment. Most Doctors in Bismarck and Mandan will ot even look at your case if you are on WSI. So, why should this action surprose anyone. "

leo wrote on Mar 13, 2008 6:30 AM:

" Insane - lacking reasonable thought. The dictionary provides us with words and terminology to help us express ourselves. Insane was the only word that does justice describing the actions of WSI and the Governor's office response to that action yesterday.

WSI, in fact, has a real problem with corruption within its organization. Withholding benefits from deserving injured workers, the fraudulence of the safety grant program, and the special interests of the politicians are some of the examples that will eventually be uncovered.

What bothers me is the enthusiastic response by the board of directors to the Connolly report. They have never responded to any of the previous audits or reports, some they have ignored. It is evident the Connolly report is based on interviews with WSI brass over a short period of time. It is also evident by the attacks on certain WSI personnel that the Connolly report was hand fed the information. Anything that was considered negative towards management and the board was ignored.

The Internal Auditor position at WSI has a very tumultuous history. Management and the board historically do not like anyone to investigate and question their actions. All the past Internal Auditors have done their jobs only to be forced out of the agency because of their findings.

It would appear the only recourse to the insanity surrounding this state agency is through the citizens of North Dakota and their power to vote. It is quite evident that a major change in our political atmosphere is needed. The Governor lost severe credibility by his inaction to correct the WSI situation. He can no longer take it for granted he will be re-elected. He lost a lot of votes yesterday. "

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