Hanford whistleblower case dismissed against Bechtel

RICHLAND, Wash. – A Benton County Superior Court judge in southeast Washington has dismissed a Hanford whistleblower's case against a government contractor. That means that whistleblower, Walt Tamosaitis , will have to appeal if he wishes to keep fighting the Hanford contractor.

Bechtel National and some of its top managers came out on top in a case that has to do with the safety culture at Hanford's massive waste treatment plant. Walt Tamosaitis claimed that he had been taken out of his position unfairly because he raised safety concerns to Bechtel managers. Tamosaitis say he now reports to a basement office with "no meaningful work."

Now that the case is dismissed Bechtel project manager Frank Russo says quote, "I appreciate that you all remained focused on your work during this time ... We will continue working every day to ensure the strongest possible safety culture."

Jack Sheridan, who represents Walt Tamosiatis, says his client will appeal the case to a Washington appeals court, and possibly the state's supreme court. Tamosaitis has also filed a whistleblower case in Federal District Court in Yakima against his company URS and the Department of Energy that manages the Hanford site.

Copyright 2012 Northwest Public Radio

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