Posted on 07/15/2005 7:48:16 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
COVINGTON, Tenn. (AP) - Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen put a halt Friday to document shredding in the state personnel department after learning that files were destroyed involving sexual harassment investigations of two men he appointed.
The governor ordered the move until a new law can be passed to address the handling of such documents. The order requires the agency "to retain all investigative records, including those related to workplace harassment," said his spokeswoman, Lydia Lenker.
The state's previous practice was meant to "protect people who would come forward," the governor said during an appearance in Covington, explaining that department investigators did not keep notes or, if they took notes, destroyed the notes later.
The announcement follows the revelation that former Correction Commissioner Quenton White was investigated for sexual harassment in 2004. The state said there was no merit in the claim, and documents in the case were shredded.
Earlier this year, the personnel department also shredded documents investigating alleged harassment by Mack Cooper, who was then Bredesen's top lobbyist. The governor forced Cooper to step down.
Bredesen, a Democrat, has said sexual harassment is a problem in government but that he wants to maintain the confidentiality of victims.
He said he would propose a change in public-records law to allow officials to redact victim names from investigation documents while releasing the records.
Senate Majority Leader Ron Ramsey, a Republican, said Bredesen should have issued the "no shredding" order months ago.
But the shredding wasn't finished then.
LOL!!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.