Dan Devine Files Whistleblower Lawsuit Against Bloomfield Township and Supervisor Leo Savoie Alleging Retaliation

BLOOMFIELD TWP., Mich., Sept. 11, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Bloomfield Township Treasurer Dan Devine has filed a civil lawsuit alleging that his employer and Township Supervisor Leo Savoie have subjected him to retaliation because he reported suspected violations of law to public authorities. Filed in Oakland County Circuit Court, the complaint says that Devine's actions are protected under the Michigan Whistleblowers' Protection Act.

According to the 11-page complaint, Savoie "has engaged in an ongoing campaign to retaliate against Devine" and requests an unspecified money judgement in his favor for "loss of career opportunities, diminishment of business and personal reputation, emotional distress, and attorney fees and costs."

The complaint also details "a series of aggressive, provocative and retaliatory actions against Devine which include:"

1. An April 2015 incident occurring in Devine's private office where "Savoie proceeded to berate, harangue and lambast Devine for having filed a campaign finance complaint with the Michigan Secretary of State in August 2014 alleging that Savoie's campaign finance committee illegally accepted a corporate contribution from one of Bloomfield Township's highest paid service vendors."
2. An April 2015 proposal made at a Bloomfield Township Board of Trustees meeting that the Treasurer position held by Devine be reduced from a full-time job to a part-time job. As the drafter and proponent of this proposal, Savoie submitted it to the Board of Trustees without any prior independent review or analysis of the Treasurer or any of the township's other executive positions. Savoie also "viciously attacked Devine by falsely accusing him of 'carelessly' performing his job duties" and failing to 'perform a full range of administrative duties'."
3. The Bloomfield Township Board of Trustees officially censured Devine in July 2015 "for the purpose of triggering a statutory process permitting the Governor to remove Devine as Treasurer." The trustees' resolution of censure falsely claimed that Devine had brought "ridicule and embarrassment" to Bloomfield Township for several reasons, including his allegations that the Supervisor had violated state campaign finance laws; his questionable investment decisions relating to fees paid for advisory services in connection with the township's employee pension fund; and conduct causing department heads and employees to feel uneasy and threatened.

"Dan Devine's unfortunate experience is a clear example of illegal retaliation by an employer against an employee because that person reported violations or suspected violations of law to a public body," said Dan Swanson. Swanson, an attorney with Southfield-based Sommers Schwartz, is representing Devine in the action.

Swanson also said that the Bloomfield Township Supervisor had solicited and conspired with members of the Board of Trustees, department heads, managers and other township employees to aid and support him in retaliatory actions against Devine.

"These actions were intended to not only oust Devine from his job, but to destroy his professional and personal reputation. The Whistleblower's Protection Act was created specifically so employees, such as Mr. Devine, wouldn't have to fear this kind of retaliation upon reporting suspected violations of law to public authorities," said Swanson.

The complaint can be viewed at: http://www.sommerspc.com/images/Complaint-Demand-for-Trial-by-Jury-Filed-9-10-15.pdf

For additional information related to this lawsuit, go to: http://www.sommerspc.com/blog/2015/09/dan-devine-bloomfield-township/

About Sommers Schwartz

Based in Southfield, Michigan, Sommers Schwarz represents individuals in employment-related disputes. The law firm also represents individuals in Michigan and throughout the U.S. who have been harmed as a result of medical errors, defective products and other forms of negligence or intentional injury. More information at sommerspc.com.

Contact:
Eric Hood
1-248-802-0236
[email protected]

SOURCE Sommers Schwartz