CLARKSBURG, W.Va (WDTV) - A lawsuit was filed on Wednesday by the former Harrison County Maintenance Director against the County Commission for alleged violations of the whistleblower law.
Richard Dale alleges in the lawsuit that his termination from his county job in September 2021 was in retaliation for reporting what he thought to be waste and wrongdoing on part of the commission in reference to work performed on the rail trail near Shinnston.
Dale alleges that the issues began in Fall 2020 when Commissioner Patsy Trecost approached him in his office and asked him to do work on the rail trail “next to the subdivision where Commissioner Trescot had purchased a home.” Dale told Trescot that he could not work on private property.
Commissioner Trescot told Dale, Commissioner Davis Hinkle and then-Administrator Parker that the City of Shinnston owned the property in question and explained that the City of Shinnston purchased the gravel and Harrison County would provide personnel and equipment to work on the trail.
A private citizen that owns several acres adjoining the property in question allegedly approached county employees and directed them to what work to do on and around the rail trail, which made them “uncomfortable.” At this point, Dale says work was put on hold.
According to the lawsuit, Dale worked with the Assessor’s Office, and it was determined that the land was privately owned.
In late Fall 2020, Commissioner Trecost allegedly requested Dale to open an account...
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