NORFOLK — Two former Community Services Board employees said they repeatedly tried to raise red flags about a no-show employee paid for 12 years.
For the first time, Tony Crisp, former CSB director of clinical services, and Linda Berardi, a former CSB human resources officer, spoke out on being involved in the situation involving Jill McGlone.
“I’m not a criminal. I’m real concerned about that. My reputation is ruined now. My career is ruined now. I’m real concerned about that,” said Crisp.
“I feel this was unjust and I was scapegoated and my personal and professional name as been smeared in this and it’s not fair,” said Berardi.
Through Virginia Beach attorney Kevin Martingayle, the two sent a letter to current CSB executive director Maureen Womack. The letter says the two never withheld any information and did not commit any criminal activity. The letter demands Womack issue a press release stating Crisp and Berardi have no criminal wrongdoing or they would pursue legal action.
On September 3, Womack announced that five employees were fired or forced to resign because they knew McGlone was being paid for being a no-show employee.
“I was surprised and disappointed because I thought I was honest. I even told Maureen Womack. I was the one who told her about this. Again, I brought up concerns about this employee being paid so I brought it up to my new superiors. I was disappointed,” said Crisp.
Womack did not return an e-mail request for comment.
Dr. George Pratt was executive director of the CSB when McGlone was hired. He retired in 2009. Last month, Pratt told 13News he didn’t know how McGlone was paid without showing up for work.
“I was stunned,” Pratt said. “How that could get lost is beyond anything I can comprehend.”
City spokeswoman Terry Bishirjian said she could not comment on the letter because of the criminal investigation.
13News tried to ask McGlone about the allegations Tuesday afternoon. A woman came to the door at her home and said McGlone was told not to comment by her
attorney.
Our partners at the Virginian-Pilot report that McGlone was suspended from her job in 1998 after she was accused of releasing confidential medical information about a patient.
by David Ham
13NEWS / WVEC.com
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 9:49 AM