SPRINGFIELD — A former employee of Berkshire Gas alleges in a federal whistleblower lawsuit he was fired after challenging higher-ups about what he believed were unsafe practices.
Brian Kleeberg, of Greenfield, said he was fired after filing complaints with utility watchdogs after working at the company for 16 years. He originally filed a complaint in Berkshire Superior Court that was transferred to federal court, where the claim is being litigated.
Kleeberg argues he was terminated after continually complaining about subpar training, equipment and maintenance of natural gas lines in 20 Western Massachusetts communities in Berkshire County. The firm is operated by parent company Avangrid.
He alleges in the lawsuit he was branded a rabblerouser and targeted by managers.
“Mr. Kleeberg’s alleged disciplinary violation, which constitutes the sole basis for his termination, is entirely based on his long-standing and ongoing vocal complaints,” the complaint says.
His attorney says Kleeberg raised objections to supervisors about actions by Berkshire Gas that he felt posed risks to public safety. The complaint alleges that Kleeberg’s supervisors attempted to conceal these issues from state regulators.
The complaint also says Kleeberg feared a repeat of the Merrimack Valley gas explosions of 2018 that killed one and damaged up to 100 homes.
In Springfield, a punctured gas line outside a former downtown strip club triggered an explosion in 2012 that injured 21 and leveled or mangled...
Jung Chung-rae, a candidate in the Democratic Party of Korea’s leadership election, targeted Kim Min-seok on the 4th, stating, “If you cannot clarify the basis for raising the Shincheonji allegati...