Deja Vu All Over Again -or- RSU Sued for Wrongful Termination (Yes, Again!)
15August 28, 2008 by Tyson Wynn
In what has almost become its signature characteristic, Rogers State University has been named as a defendant in yet another wrongful termination lawsuit. The latest suit, filed August 21, 2008, in Rogers County District Court, names RSU (i.e., the O.U. Regents), Dr. Linda Andrews, and Dr. Larry Minks as defendants. The plaintiff is Jana Walstrom, a former RSU employee, who alleges that, after she questioned what she suspected was misappropriation of certain funds, she was terminated. Specifically, Walstrom alleges she contacted Minks because $6,500.00 of funds budgeted for the Bit-by-Bit program were spent by another non-Bit-by-Bit-related department.
Thrilled that an astute employee would notify university administration of potential misappropriation of university funds, Minks thanked Walstrom for discovering and reporting the irregularity. Walstrom was promoted, and those responsible for the misdeeds were fired and prosecuted. Oops, slipped into a perfect dream world there for a second. The first two sentences of this paragraph, in addition to being thoroughly out of character for RSU, are total fiction.
Here’s what really happened, according to Walstrom’s petition: Two days after reporting the issue to Minks, she was fired by Minks and Andrews. She was also told by Minks and Andrews that if she did not sign a statement that she was resigning voluntarily she would not be paid for services performed. She signed the document under duress. Further, Minks and Andrews attempted to have her sign a “general release and settlement statement” (geez, do RSU administrators carry these things in their pockets?)
…attempting to release RSU and all employees, including Defendants Minks and Andrews, from all claims and attempting to have Plaintiff agree to a gag order which is unenforceable and void under law, including the Oklahoma Open Records Act, which abhors secrecy in government. The documents would have secreted the unlawful conduct of Minks and Andrews. The document further attempted to limit Plaintiff’s rights by attempting to have Plaintiff agree that “she will not disparage or make adverse public statements against the university or any of its directors, officers or employees.” Such document further specifically prohibited Plaintiff from cooperating with any party, in any lawsuit against the university including testifying as a witness against the university.
Yes, that’s all in bold print. The emphasis was added by me. Now go back and read it again. It’s that important.
Once again, we have very familiar allegations made by a former RSU staffer. It’s just eerie how similar this story is to the many that have come before. The WynnBlog will follow this case and bring you periodic reports.
Click here to see the PDF of Walstrom’s full petition.
Category 1st Amendment, Claremore, Larry Minks, Legal, Linda Andrews, News, Oklahoma, Open Records, Politics, University of Oklahoma | Tags:
15 comments
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Maybe this person didn’t perform their job.
If this person cared so much for the program they wouldn’t be trying to cause harm to it.
Polly, what are you saying? Did you read the complaint filed by this individual? Have you taken the time to look at the other filed documents? are you aware that 47.3% of just the TRiO staff turned over in 18 months? Do you honestly believe that all those people are incompetent? Are you employed Polly? Please tell me yo don’t vote! PLEASE tell me you don’t vote.
Polly how do you figure that complaining about stealing funds and using it for your own use is “harming the program”
Polly, If a burgler came into your house and stole your money and one of your cars, would you complain that the police report was doing damage to your family?
Polly, maybe you are incompetent and are too ignorant to participate in a democratic republic. I’d love to hear the Polly Principles on truth, justice and the American way of combating crime. Good grief, we never would have won the revolution…any revolution…good grief Polly. Think about it. Can anybody else help us educate poor, poor Polly? I’m afraid she has put me over the top.
Do they have proof of their complaint.
Well Polly, the Federal Government spent a full week in person going through RSU files and have brought in the Inspector General of the United States … Do you think they may have SOME basis for concern? or, maybe you are just one of those people that has a little waltnut brain that won’t believe what she doesn’t want to believe and can’t be bothered with facts!
Polly says people who are fired at RSU for complaining about fraud are probably just incompetent. That’s right…Polly. and, like you said, if they care about the program, why are they trying to do harm to the program, oh yes, there is that. Polly, do you think it may cause harm to the program to take the money that is supposed to go for the little children and spend it on Tommy Wiley’s pit bull dogs? Do you think that Joe Wiley, who makes more than $200,000 dollars year should get a nice fat bonus of $50,000 a year and that Tom Volturo should get a nice big $30,000 check for helping Joe Wiley cover stuff up? Polly, what do you say? Do you want to see some proof? Polly, all you gotta do, unless you are an incompetent, stupid, complete idiot, is hang around the court house for a day or two and, hey, maybe you could learn to read.
Do you go by the name of “DOT” in another life?
Yes Polly we do have proof. The toughest thing is having to go around obstructions like you to get the right thing done. We are trying to PROTECT the good people who do the vital work of Bit-By-Bit but, God forbid we should upset little Polly who doesn’t want a word of the corruption or theft or abuse breathed around her…Oh my, oh my. Fool. Every village has an idiot and I’m afraid RSU has more than its share
You are saying that RSU Bit by Bit funds were used for this Tommy Wiley’s dogs, if so then that is wrong. How can checks be written for that and by whom. Maybe if you went to school you could be in a high paying job instead wasting your time bad mouthing someone with an question about showing proof. I have something more worth while to do than hang around the courthouse to see what dirt to dish about others. The court will decide if this former bit by bit person has a case worth while but her own house better be clean because it will all come out in a court of law. If you spend so much time at the court house you should already know that.
Polly i still cannot believe you could call the former director incompetent. You act like you really care about the program. I have volunteered at the Bit by Bit program and saw first hand how hard the former director worked with these children. She is a lovely person that did not deserve to be forced to resign her position. Incompetent people did surround her and I hear some of them are still there which is sad because those children deserve more than a few people working hard to help with the program while many take advantage of it.
Have not heard much about the Bit by Bit Program
and what is going on over there. What about horses
getting sick and dying–is there a new equine manager?? and grounds keeper??. Hows the rodeo
team standings in central plains? Been watching
MVC standings and they are doing great, must really get out there and recruit some good riders
from other states. Hope someone can put some light
on this.
What ever happen about the former director of bit by bit lawsuit against RSU?
Yes what has happened with the law suit of the
former director of bit by bit–and also the suit
of Goff/Wiley or is all that pushed under the
table. Whats been happening at Bit by Bit? still
the same staff–equine manager or what? It is a
good program if it is handled right.