[speedgibson] Speed Gibson: The Verdict is In

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Posted by Speed Gibson:
The Verdict is In
http://speedgibson.powerblogs.com/posts/1197426740.shtml


   Those of us in the private sector know what would happen if we let a
   subordinate rack up $26,000 in unauthorized charges. But it looks like
   only Minnesota Lt. Governor and Transportation Commissioner Carol
   Molnau will suffer the equivalent fate. Instead, three middle managers
   are getting reprimands, one oral, one written, one with a three day
   pass.
   For once, though, I might have to agree with this course of action.
   Reading the redacted findings, it looks to me like yes, a dishonest
   employee (Pitt) took advantage of department transitions. It also
   looks to me like Pitt's days were indeed numbered. They were on to her
   before the bridge collapse, just much too slowly.
   A name not in the paper is Deputy Commissioner Lisa Freese. MnDot uses
   the Soviet Embassy model, with the political head, Commissioner Molnau
   having just Deputy Freese and a public relations Assistant as direct
   reports. Freese actually runs the show day to day, like a Chief
   Operating Officer in a corporation. She is new to the position (Feb
   2007), and therefore had plausible deniability. Two of those
   reprimanded report to her, the third to one of them. But again,
   positions and people were shifting during this time, so I think the
   punishments fit the crimes.
   Pitt is gone, and I believe MnDot has learned its lesson. Other
   agencies no doubt will be more vigilant, too. Next case.