A judge has ordered Iowa State University to pay nearly $1.3 million to a former employee who reported financial misconduct by his boss, saying evidence showed a unified effort to tarnish his reputation and have him removed from his job in retaliation for whistle-blowing.
The effort began after Dennis Smith, who worked in the College of Engineering marketing department, told then-Iowa State President Gregory Geoffroy in 2007 about mismanagement, abuse of authority and financial misconduct by Pamela Reinig, director of the marketing department.
Reinig pleaded guilty to first-degree theft in 2009 and was placed on probation for stealing over $10,000 from the school.
In the years following his whistle-blowing, Smith's duties were reduced, the funding for his pay was changed and he was ultimately fired following a reorganization of the marketing department unit in 2010.
Geoff Greenwood, spokesman for the attorney general's office, said the university intends to appeal the decision.
The effort began after Dennis Smith, who worked in the College of Engineering marketing department, told then-Iowa State President Gregory Geoffroy in 2007 about mismanagement, abuse of authority and financial misconduct by Pamela Reinig, director of the marketing department.
Reinig pleaded guilty to first-degree theft in 2009 and was placed on probation for stealing over $10,000 from the school.
In the years following his whistle-blowing, Smith's duties were reduced, the funding for his pay was changed and he was ultimately fired following a reorganization of the marketing department unit in 2010.
Geoff Greenwood, spokesman for the attorney general's office, said the university intends to appeal the decision.
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