About Me

My photo
Nazareth, Pa., United States

Thursday, November 30, 2017

Whistleblower at Jail Still in Limbo, and at Our Expense

CPT David Collins, the County's first ever black captain at the jail, was suspended on July 13, with pay, and walked out of the jail. Reason? For making "unfounded allegations" about what is going on. The reality is that Collins is a whistleblower. He is being victimized for reporting, in good faith, instances of wrongdoing or waste. He was even grilled over his contacts with me, all of which were initiated by me and after his suspension. Believe it or not, he's been in limbo for 20 weeks with no idea when or if he is going to be called back to work. Taxpayers have shelled out approximately $20,000 during this time so he can sit at home. They are also paying his benefits, which might be 70% of his salary.

Is this fiscally responsible?

Same thing happened to a corrections officer, who took courses and became a tattoo artist on the County dime while waiting for a decision after she was suspended.

Collins did have an administrative hearing before HR Director Amy Trapp and Corrections Director Dan Keen on August 25. When he asked her why he had been suspended, she told him, "It's for your protection."

"We'll get back to you," Trapp said when it was over.

But in a few weeks, they'll be gone.

If Executive John Brown had any sense of fiscal responsibility, he'd direct Keen and Trapp to bring Collins back already.

23 comments:

Anonymous said...

Why admit their mistakes. This is another problem to be corrected by the new County Executive and council. Hopefully, the Allen/Trapp/Keen follies will be on the unemployment line when he returns.

Anonymous said...

No one misses him at the jail. Hopefully he’ll be fired before Christmas.

Anonymous said...

or if they had any sense they would fire him today

Anonymous said...

Seems like 7:03am and 7:46am work in the HR Department. LOL.

Anonymous said...

I love how you have to bring race into the story once again. Why not just say "Captain was suspended"? Your ignorance regarding this story is one of only knowing one side of the story. Did you ever consider he was suspended for just cause? No ! you didn't and your assumption that he's pure as rain is ridiculous. Once again you have jumped to an incorrect conclusion.

Anonymous said...

Collins defense is he is black, that defense alone should save his job, regardless of what he is accused of.

Bernie O'Hare said...



I didn't bring race into this story. CPT Collins happens to be the only black person who was ever named a CPT. It is an achievement and a sign of county diversity. When he is mysteriously sent home, and there is a complete absence of wrongdoing on his part, I question the motives of those responsible for suspending him.

Anonymous said...

Yea, you know what’s going on O’hare Because they keep a disbarred criminal in the loop.

Anonymous said...

There is no mystery. He knows why but is probably lying to you...no one misses him. The jail is better without him.

Anonymous said...

So that is an appropriate defense? Performance not race is what should matter.

Anonymous said...

Bernie, Mr. Collins isn't as "Good" as you think he is.

Bernie O'Hare said...

“Good” has nothing to do with this. The question is whether a county can terminate a career service employee for exercising his first amendment rights and being a whistleblower. I sue the Llodermill letter, in which Amy Trapp essentially admilits she is retaliating against a whistle blower. This action is purevsoitebagainst CPT Collins for not being deferential enough to his masters.

Bernie O'Hare said...

3:45,I saw the Loudermill letter. It is admitted retaliation against a whistleblower.i know it bothers some of you Trumpions that blacks have rights, but there it is.

Anonymous said...

Really? Because I was told he hasn’t received the Loudermill yet. Interesting that you have seen a document that doesn’t exist. Proves that you are a liar...

Bernie O'Hare said...

6:13, I both saw and quoted from this letter. Collins is under suspension for exercising his first amendment rights. The masters don’t like it when the slaves think for themselves.

Bernie O'Hare said...

The notion that someone would be suspended with pay and without a Loudermill letter is so absurd that I am deleting lies that no such letter exists, especially since I saw it.

Anonymous said...

Collins is a dishonest, 2-faced, racist jerk. I'm certain my comment will never appear because I see the way your blog works. You post what You want and delete what you want. The only opinion that matters is yours.

Bernie O'Hare said...

Someone who lacks the personal integrity to sign her name is calling someone else dishonest? I see.

Anonymous said...

Biggie Smalls, Biggie Smalls!!!

Anonymous said...

What he should have done was contact the County controller's hotline and remain anonymous.

Anonymous said...

Nice hat!

Bernie O'Hare said...

It is, but I have a much cooler hat.

Anonymous said...

O'Hare you may be a "big" man but you are no Biggie Smalls!