posted by gov_wire
Fri, 05/21/2010 - 7:28am
LINK

“Honesty and Transparency”

The endangered species (whistleblower) as discussed by Congress have the ability to do away with just about all the financial wrongdoing that is currently “allowed” by officials in the government and in non-profits. We all know who pays for this. Sunlight (media exposure) will lead the way, as to putting an end to the corruption. The current laws designed to protect those that do the right thing are just empty political words, and in need of proper investigation and enforcement when incidents are reported, and nothing is done—worth repeating…and nothing is done.

The problem occurs when those that are willing to bring the corruption and lies to light are threatened or met with planned retaliation and false reasons as to termination of employment, while nary a single word of the wrongdoing can be denied by officials. The fear of reprisal (job security) has replaced freedom of speech on the campus of C.S.I. The truth is long overdue. “False reporting numbers” to grab the brass ring we call the taxpayer dollars $$$ is the new game played…and allowed by the administration. And if there is truth to the “NO Hire” list as reported in parentadvocates.org—I think we should listen to both sides of the story when it comes to the (mis)use and lies... in regard our tax dollar expenditures.

My case may never get to court, and as to why…it will step on too many toes and force government and non profits to understand and adhere to those two feared words… honesty and transparency. It all start in Albany…definitely in Albany, and works its way onto every taxpayer-funded CUNY/SUNY campus in the State, not just C.S.I., and when made public, the taxpayer will no longer have to pay for no- shows, fudged numbers, fudged time sheets, and wasteful spending. Academia/ Government “partnerships” on campus will have to be held accountable for their actions, limited work ethics, “fudged” time sheets and false accomplishment “numbers,” just like the private sector. These “taxpayer funded” organizations MUST, as in MUST silence the truth, thus enabling them to continue to milk their taxpayer cash-cow funding. Freedom of speech, honesty, and accountability are desperately needed to replace the fear to speak, threats, ego, lies, personal greed and my favorite—condescending remarks. I am sure our Chancellor’s both past and present will agree as to what is “relative” to my case, and why it must be kept quiet.

Let’s see—three years, and roughly 2 million spent on false numbers, raises—(some higher than usual,) questionable business vouchers that lacked business, fudged time sheets, no-show allowed work ethics that are well documented in this one campus office, (sure hope this is an isolated case,) and the threats along with condescending that with “political” leadership became a new way of doing business for us. I am not surprised that C.S.I. lost a recent freedom of speech case in court.

And many at the top from President, To The Head of Grants and Research, to The Provost, and the Head of Finance have already been asked to leave, “retired,” or have stepped down from their posts on this political campus. When it comes to the taxpayer’s money, we better understand the meaning of the two words “honesty and transparency.” And as to why a Director originally resigned……….

Parentadvocates.org is an eye opener with “Opening the Door to NYC Education Corruption Part1: Update on Retaliation of All Whistleblowers.” And their story review “Retaliation against All Whistleblowers is the Name of the Illegal Game in New York City,” is reality. Thank you Parent Advocates.org. , and as you discuss the media and the “educational advertising $$$$ and political favors they stand to lose if these incidents are reported…heck, I thought it was my Director’s relatives on the staff at the local paper and associates that influenced his decision to unretire and why the paper won’t look into both sides of the story…silly me.

The difficulty in finding legal representation that will not be a conflict of their interests with their “college employers,” and the government investigators who are supposed to look into these cases—truly, never do; but I have file numbers from several of them in regards to my case, and still waiting. Making the “Guilty” personally responsible or having to pay a share of the financial expenses and judgment if guilty of retaliation just makes sense-be responsible for your actions. And don’t hide behind the system that encourages retaliation.

I ain’t gonna wait around 12 years, to get this to court for a closed door settlement (win or lose) for something that needs to be corrected A.S.A.P. The taxpayer needs to know the truth, and we will save mega-millions yearly once we all understand how the game is played on campus. “Terms of Entitlement,” in the hands of the wrong people, cost us big time.

From day one when this organization kicked off on an Albany campus with the blessing of a KING, we had a million dollars missing with a $115,000 repayment and no jail time for the guilty—right Chancellor? The back-door combo of S.B.D.C. and The College is well outlined as you screwed other’s,—and “not in our jurisdiction” was the final answer in regards to no-show employees, fudged numbers, unnecessary voucher spending and fraud, that is currently asking for additional funding. But to walk away from our Veteran’s program at Arthur Kill……………………..let alone the refusal to assist with minority counseling—
On 12/23/05 a whistle blowers hotline regarding fraud was established on the RFCUNY website—why at that point in time has everything to do with my case, not the mouthing of politics you will be hear. In addition to the several college officials that have decided to remove themselves from campus right after this for whatever reasons you will be told, a satellite of The S.B.D.C. was shuttered, and ALL members of this paid-for-by the taxpayer on campus office have left or were retaliated against when saying NO to fraud. This case will damn sure change the way we look at our hallowed grounds once the story gets told.

The ability to LIE has done more (financial) harm to individuals, the community and the nation, and this all about people that lie, not the system or government. This is all about the people that lack the character and integrity to do the right thing when entrusted with the taxpayer’s money, and this epidemic is national in scope.

There have been more important and better than me eliminated when questioning spending on campus, false reports, theft of time, and the business of vouchers for personal use—from Inspector General’s, to Dean’s, to Legal Council, to the many, many people like …me. The truth is in need of “media sunlight.”
Thanks to the many who have contacted me.
Robert Stein

National Whistleblower Assembly