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Former State Employee Files Wrongful Discharge Lawsuit

Carol Bondy alleges that she was fired last year in retaliation for reporting the apparent misuse of state and federal funds

By Dillon Tabish

HELENA — A former auditor for the Montana’s health department has filed a wrongful discharge lawsuit against the state.

Carol Bondy alleges that she was fired last year in retaliation for reporting the apparent misuse of state and federal funds by agencies receiving grants or contracts.

Bondy says when Department of Public Health and Human Services officials failed to act on her concerns, she reported them to the federal government.

DPHHS officials declined to comment on the lawsuit, which was filed Oct. 18.

Agency spokesman Jon Ebelt noted, however, that an unemployment benefits hearing determined Bondy was fired for misconduct.

The hearing found Bondy knew that another employee had emailed data containing childcare providers’ personal information to a state legislator without authorization.

The hearing also found Bondy refused a request for information from her supervisor.

Both employees were fired.