Whistleblower case against Lynn, LWSC withdrawn

LYNN – Water and Sewer Commissioner David Ellis withdrew his year-old federal “whistleblower” complaint claiming city officials targeted him after he sent information about the commission?s lack of compliance with environmental mandates to federal officials.?With this withdrawal, the case in this matter is closed,” federal investigator Carole Horowitz wrote in a Sept. 4 letter to Ellis.Ellis could not be reached for comment, but paperwork provided by the city Law Department included a July 2012 federal “case worksheet” filed for Ellis in which he claimed “he was subject to verbal abuse” and an attempt to force him out of the commission.?Complainant alleges that his employer, Lynn Water and Sewer Commission, as well as the City of Lynn attempted to have him removed from his post as a Commissioner,” the worksheet stated.The complaint states that efforts to remove Ellis from the commission started after he provided information to federal environmental officials about “the Commission?s lack of compliance” with a federal consent decree.The commission is under a federal order to stop discharges of partially treated sewage into Lynn Harbor.City lawyers, in a written response, stated that Ellis? complaints were directed at his four fellow commissioners.?These disputes are essentially political disputes as to the conduct of the Commission?s business,” stated assistant city solicitor George Markopoulos.Markopoulos pointed out in the city?s response that Ellis is not a Water and Sewer employee, although he earns $3,500 annually as a commissioner. He also questioned Ellis? “verbal abuse” complaint.?Complainant does not specify who has subjected him to such abuse. The Commission believes he is referring to disagreements among the five commissioners,” wrote Markopoulos.Ellis and fellow commissioners have sparred throughout this year at monthly meetings over votes taken by the commission last December on pay raises for top Water and Sewer executives.Ellis challenged the votes, claiming they were not properly made, and complained to state officials.