The Emails John Brown Wants No One To See: Part One

Last week, Northampton County Executive John Brown's Administration blocked two emails that Controller Steve Barron sent to county workers. This is the first.

-------- Original message --------
From: "Stephen J. Barron"
Date:10/20/2014 12:20 PM (GMT-05:00)
To: All Northampton County Employees
Cc: "Shortell, Tom (tshortell@express-times.com)" , "'Marcus, Samantha'"
Subject: New Online Fraud Reporting Tool

Dear County Employees:

Recent events have prompted me to create an online fraud reporting tool that allows you to communicate directly with the Controller’s Office. This form requires very minimal information and the responses you provide do not go through county e-mail or any server monitored by Xerox or Northampton County. The submissions will be treated as investigatory material and our office will do the best we can to protect your identity. While we cannot guarantee anonymity we allow you to provide no personal identifying information on this form if you wish, but allow you to provide information that the Controller’s Office can follow up on with little risk of retaliation or your identity being revealed. You can even easily access this resource from your home computer if you feel that is safest.

The Fraud Hotline is still active, but if that number is called the information goes directly to the County Executive and his administrative staff. While that is a useful tool, I have been told additional information is required at the time of the report that does not allow the caller to remain anonymous if they wish. The Controller’s form is anonymous and you need not provide personal information. You also can upload documents to the form that can be reviewed. This is not required to submit a report, but it is a handy feature.

The more information you provide for follow up the better able my staff or I will be able to resolve your issue or report the situation to a higher authority. I understand that people hesitate to get involved and fear retaliation. As a friendly reminder there is a county Whistleblowers Policy that works to protect you. Also investigatory information is protected and in most cases does not need to be turned over in the event of a right to know request. However, I will always let you know if I am in a position to possibly release your name or potential identifying information (if provided) and would allow you to refuse to continue pursuing the matter if that was your wish.

The direct link to the form is:

http://www.emailmeform.com/builder/form/flJtfSoW28y4cOd

It is also available as a link from our web page at:

http://www.northamptoncounty.org/northampton/cwp/view.asp?a=1514&Q=619923&PM=1

We are currently working on ways to place a link on the intranet site as well. Consider this as another tool to help fight fraud and government waste. I appreciate you reviewing this resource and please use it as a way to safely communicate directly with the Northampton County Controller’s Office.

All the Best,

Stephen J. Barron, Jr.
Northampton County Controller
Office: 610-559-3185