Education department report omitted evidence backing critic

[JI7]

<TALLAHASSEE — A Department of Education report rebutting a whistle-blower's complaint regarding one of Florida's voucher programs last year ignored a witness who appeared to back up the complaint, documents show.

Robert Metty, formerly the department's director of programs, in May 2003 filed a formal complaint accusing a co-worker of altering official documents sought in a public records request to make it seem as if the department was tracking the corporate tax credit voucher program when actually it was not. Metty also wrote about the department's "apparent lack of diligence in complying with our statutory duties" regarding the program.

Metty was transferred from his supervisory position and, nine months later, fired. An internal investigation concluded on July 9 that no laws had been broken. Department officials also ruled that Metty did not qualify for official whistle-blower status, which would have protected him from retaliation.

But a June 11, 2003, memo shows that a department investigator interviewed Choice Office staffer Laura Heiselman, who said that Bill Greiner, the co-worker in question, appeared to have done what Metty alleged.>

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/content/news/vouchers/a4a_doe_0627.html

[Trillo]

1. Sounds like some "implicit lessons" for staff! nt