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Whistleblower fired in water testing
scandal files suit
Broadview and Westchester defend drinking water quality
amid allegations of foul play.
By MARY O’CONNOR
April 29, 2010
BROADVIEW | The villages of Broadview and Westchester are
assuring residents that their drinking water is safe as they
brace for a lawsuit.
The issues of drinking water quality surfaced when a former
employee spoke out publicly about water testing “short cuts”
practiced by officials. Anthony Sacco, a former Broadview
Public Works thirty-year veteran, claims he was wrongfully
terminated after he spoke up for what he felt was the right
thing to do.
Sacco contacted the EPA one year ago when officials failed to
submit required sampling for testing. The Illinois and Federal
EPA’s hailed Sacco a hero but six months later, the
whistleblower was fired by village officials.
At the Broadview Municipal building members of the press
cornered the newly elected Mayor Sherman Jones for
answers. Jones’ car was parked in his reserved spot, but
when approached by CBS Jay Levine, Jones scurried out a
back door and drove off.
Matthew Ames, also a part of the story, was in the lobby and
would not answer any questions by the press. Ames was a
candidate on Jones’ ticket and won a slot as trustee. He was
later terminated when local activist and former mayoral
candidate Judy Brown-Marino made public that Ames was
convicted of two felonies and served 8 years in a Missouri
prison.
When Ames was relieved from his duties as a trustee, he was
hired by the village as the public works director. Many believe
that Sacco was fired due to conflicts with Ames. Sacco is not
shy about his feelings for Ames managing the water facility.
“They’re putting all this money into Homeland Security to
secure water systems,” Sacco said. “And they’re letting a
convicted felon have access to a treatment plant.”
Sacco filed suit against the village on March 17 for breach of
contract on his 5-year, $100,000 employment agreement with
the village, claiming he was terminated in violation of the
Whistle Blowers Act.
Meanwhile, in a village newsletter published April 17,
Westchester Village President Sam Pulia defended the village’
s water quality and emphasized how Westchester’s two
certified water operators test water quality in accordance with
state and federal regulations.
“To date, Westchester has not received any notice of violation
from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
relating to the water quality that is provided to residents and
businesses,” the letter states.
The Broadview and Westchester agencies are run by two
directors, village presidents Jones, Broadview and Pulia,
Westchester and a board of directors consisting of Public
Works Director Matthew Ames, Broadview Building
Commissioner David Upshaw, Westchester Village Manager
Stan Urban and Westchester Village Trustee Neil Boyle. The
water agency also serves Hines Veterans Administration
Hospital, Loyola University Medical Center and the John
Madden Mental Health Center.
Michael Jurusik attorney for the agency and the Village of
Maywood said that based on a preliminary review, the agency
is going to dispute Sacco’s claims, according to reports.
Officials say that no one from the IEPA has contacted them
about the lawsuit.
scandal files suit
Broadview and Westchester defend drinking water quality
amid allegations of foul play.
By MARY O’CONNOR
April 29, 2010
BROADVIEW | The villages of Broadview and Westchester are
assuring residents that their drinking water is safe as they
brace for a lawsuit.
The issues of drinking water quality surfaced when a former
employee spoke out publicly about water testing “short cuts”
practiced by officials. Anthony Sacco, a former Broadview
Public Works thirty-year veteran, claims he was wrongfully
terminated after he spoke up for what he felt was the right
thing to do.
Sacco contacted the EPA one year ago when officials failed to
submit required sampling for testing. The Illinois and Federal
EPA’s hailed Sacco a hero but six months later, the
whistleblower was fired by village officials.
At the Broadview Municipal building members of the press
cornered the newly elected Mayor Sherman Jones for
answers. Jones’ car was parked in his reserved spot, but
when approached by CBS Jay Levine, Jones scurried out a
back door and drove off.
Matthew Ames, also a part of the story, was in the lobby and
would not answer any questions by the press. Ames was a
candidate on Jones’ ticket and won a slot as trustee. He was
later terminated when local activist and former mayoral
candidate Judy Brown-Marino made public that Ames was
convicted of two felonies and served 8 years in a Missouri
prison.
When Ames was relieved from his duties as a trustee, he was
hired by the village as the public works director. Many believe
that Sacco was fired due to conflicts with Ames. Sacco is not
shy about his feelings for Ames managing the water facility.
“They’re putting all this money into Homeland Security to
secure water systems,” Sacco said. “And they’re letting a
convicted felon have access to a treatment plant.”
Sacco filed suit against the village on March 17 for breach of
contract on his 5-year, $100,000 employment agreement with
the village, claiming he was terminated in violation of the
Whistle Blowers Act.
Meanwhile, in a village newsletter published April 17,
Westchester Village President Sam Pulia defended the village’
s water quality and emphasized how Westchester’s two
certified water operators test water quality in accordance with
state and federal regulations.
“To date, Westchester has not received any notice of violation
from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
relating to the water quality that is provided to residents and
businesses,” the letter states.
The Broadview and Westchester agencies are run by two
directors, village presidents Jones, Broadview and Pulia,
Westchester and a board of directors consisting of Public
Works Director Matthew Ames, Broadview Building
Commissioner David Upshaw, Westchester Village Manager
Stan Urban and Westchester Village Trustee Neil Boyle. The
water agency also serves Hines Veterans Administration
Hospital, Loyola University Medical Center and the John
Madden Mental Health Center.
Michael Jurusik attorney for the agency and the Village of
Maywood said that based on a preliminary review, the agency
is going to dispute Sacco’s claims, according to reports.
Officials say that no one from the IEPA has contacted them
about the lawsuit.