KIRO Newsradio

A whistleblower in Orting says the city fired him after he raised concerns its sewage lagoon was overflowing.

The Tacoma News Tribune reports former Orting Capital Projects Manager John Bielka filed a $10 million, wrongful-termination claim.

Bielka’s attorney says the former city employee was placed on administrative leave after sharing concerns about leaks he said were coming from the city’s wastewater treatment plant, into groundwater near the Carbon River.

The city accuses Bielka of insubordination, dishonesty, abusing his authority, retaliating against a fellow employee and violating Orting’s whistleblower policy.

In a statement sent to the News Tribune this week, Orting City Administrator Scott Larson wrote:

“The city terminated John Bielka’s employment following a third-party investigation that resulted in findings warranting termination. The integrity of our city’s workforce is paramount. The city stands by the termination.”

Orting hired John Bielka, 63, as Capital Projects Manager in 2022. His attorney says after he raised concerns about the wastewater facility in March of this year, city leaders placed him on administrative leave. Records Bielka shared with the newspaper indicate the city fired him on June 12th.

The tort claim filed in August could be the first step toward a wrongful-termination lawsuit. If the matter is not resolved within 60 days, Bielka can proceed in court against the city.

The News Tribune reports he also filed a whistleblower...

Read Full Story: https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMikwFBVV95cUxQMnZaSGRoRkVVUkNYemFtNFox...