WSI has shot themselves in the foot this time. The attorneys at WSI really need to be disbarred and John Halvorson fired for listening to their insane antics. Why not have Green hold a gun to employee's heads while they try to tell the Highway Patrol the truth. My God, is there no decency left in this madhouse? They have stooped to another low. How in hell are the employees to try to do their jobs with this idiotic intimidation. I encourage all WSI employees to tell the truth ... you've got nothing to lose and I doubt if management has the power to affect anyone anymore. This is sickening. Votes: +5

Ummm,
I'm not lawyer, but I can read. Thanks to Chet's handy link to "light reading for state employees," I?ve read the state statute on tampering with witnesses. It says:

12.1-09-02. Tampering with informants in criminal investigations. A person is guilty of a class C felony if, believing another may have information relating to an offense, he deceives such other person or employs force, threat, or bribery with intent to hinder, delay, or prevent communication of such information to a law enforcement officer. The affirmative defense in subdivision b of subsection 3 of section 12.1-09-01 applies to this section.

Like I said, I'm no lawyer, but as a moderately literate person, it appears even to me that telling employees that at WSI attorney will be present at all interviews with witnesses is a clear attempt to "hinder, delay, or prevent communication of such information to a law enforcement officer." If WSI employees know that WSI attorneys gave Flanagan his walking papers and WSI attorneys suspended long, you can bet they are not going to talk in front of Green. So let's parse this.

* WSI employees have been fired and suspended for talking to law enforcement in the recent past.

* WSI attorneys performed the firing and suspensions.

* A new investigation with the Highway Patrol will be conducted into allegations of wrongdoing at WSI.

* WSI says its attorneys will be present during the interviews.

* No reasonable person can conclude anything other than as a consequence of the attorney?s presence, witnesses may delayed or prevented from communicating with law enforcement.

Notice that I didn?t say the attorney was "intended" to prevent communication with law enforcement. Even lawyers as bad as they have at WSI could argue that. However, the consequence of the decision is that WSI is guilty of witness tampering.

Can I be a lawyer now? I can?t be any worse than that group of yahoos.

Votes: +6

These people are makeing up their own rules-wsi attorney has to be present, what a load-if anything some of these folks need their own attorney-to represent them not wsi-this sounds more like threating an intimadating-is'nt this a criminal investigation an wsi is going to tell the HP just how it's going to go-if it were you and i we would more than likely be trying to raise bail right now an find a padlock on the door.i must have missed the word GOD somewhere?? Votes: +1

can tell you that fear of losing one's job is the fundamental definition of "coercion" in the scholarly literature on social psychology and workplace psychology. So add one more point to your list. Votes: +0

Halvy is not the right person to run WSI, he has been nothing but a "Yes" man for all the CEO's (he seems to be their pal and then get on their bad side, they leave and woosh, he is doing the same to the next CEO). Its his perceived political clout and his friendship with Pat Traynor that seems to keep him in his job.

He needs to take a step back and think for himself. He needs to do the right thing (I hope he know what the right thing to do is). He needs to get rid of Armstrong, get new lawyers (how many times do they give wrong advice or selective advice (i.e. Bjornson reviewing open records law on the DOT photo issue, not the DOT and confidentiality law - some crack lawyering there)).

Its getting pathetic, this gang is so incompetent and it starts with the board. They don't realize how easy they are making it for the initiated measure to pass. Pathetic is all I can say. Votes: +3

I'm kinda like unemployed right now and would be available to do some interagating-i even have my own boots.i do believe it would be alot better for my menal statis than being a telemarketer-i will be -----fair????do you think that i can write this down for wsi as a new job search??? Votes: +2

There's no doubt Halvorson, Blunt and Board chair Indvik had much to do with Flanagan's termination then Halvorson passed the baton onto Bjornson to do the dirty work. Halvorson is in the corruption at WSI so deep and the employees know it. It's been going since the Pat Traynor days. He either needs to shape up, or ship out. Votes: +0

This memo has got to be a joke, right?
There is no way that anyone in any organization could possibly be
so incompetent as to actually put out a memo like this, is there?
If this is who is running WSI, then I feel sorry for anyone working there Votes: +6

It's a criminal investigation, so you have the right not to answer questions?
Is Mr. Halvorson practicing law without a license? Or continuing to follow the WSI precept that adhering to bad legal advice is a perfect defense? (without consequence even to the Assistants Attorney General who give the bad advice?)


I only know law from TV shows, but isn't the right not to answer questions in a criminal investigation limited to one's right not to incriminate oneself? It doesn't allow a person to keep silent with knowledge of other's criminal activity, does it? Votes: +5

I think it's called hendering an investigation which wsi is very good at-i think that i'll write a comic strip about it-why has'nt the irs been called in-are'nt they the best auditors-from the case managers to the board members should be on the sidelines right know as crime investiagators go threw the building-this is looking more to the buddy an friends system more everyday-it's called big names-big money-power-it's called impeachment an prosecution-you squeeze afew and they will sing and real soon you have a chior.but if your not going to lesson to the singing than the song is no good-i really don't know just what else to do-the injured worker is the one getting the shaft everyday!!! Votes: -1

to All I know...
I am not an attorney either, but in reading this I have to say I think you are on the right track.
A person has the right to not incriminate themselves. But if an investigator
asks you questions about someone else, you have to answer. If you choose not to answer, you can be subpeonaed and asked the questions in front of a Grand Jury. If you don't answer then you can be found in contempt. If you don't answer truthfully you can be found guilty of perjury.
In federal cases, lying to investigators is a crime in and of itself.
Martha Stewart was convicted of lying to investigators, as was Scooter Libby.

This memorandum has the faint aroma of witness tampering Votes: +1

Everyone knows that refusing to answer question unless you've been arrested will lead to an obstruction of justice charge.

This memo borders on Criminal Stupidity. Votes: +3

Keep it holy. Votes: -1

Did John converse with the WSI crack legal council to come up with this one? If you look at the events Sandy was fired thursday and John was put in charge again, then late in the day friday it comes out that the HP will be investigating this matter, then late sunday evening Teflon John sends out this email. Who did he talk to about the legality of what he wrote and when? It had to be over the weekend or after hours on friday(it had be way after hours on friday too). I wonder how long johnny boy, the golden boy, armstrong and scates discussed this one.

One other thing did upper management at WSI get the same speech everyone else does when someone leaves or is let go. That they are to have no contact or associate with former employee? Votes: +1

I keep reading this junk and figure somebody has got to be on crack. What other explanation can there be for the constant bungling. The Forum talked to Stenehjem and he contradicted or corrected the legal advice handed out by Halvorson. He said that public employees will cooperate with the investigation but could exercise their right against self incrimination. Maybe somebody should define self to the WSI staff. When is Stenehjem going to step in and take the reigns. His special assistants are having problems and as the AG it should be his responsibility to step in. KFYR reported that WSI general council makes $98,000 a year. She must be extremely well qualified. Oh, that's right, she gave bad legal advice that resulted in the CEO and a Director being criminally indicted. Oh well, everyone is entitled to make a mistake. We can all just muddle through this together. Pick up your crack pipe as you enter through the doors of WSI. Votes: +3

News flash. Keiser is holding a news conference at 2:00 p.m. today to unveil his plan to revamp WSI. He is then going to meet with WSI execs to go over the details and expects a formal response from the agency by Monday. Whaaatttt????? Hoeven has no authority, but Keiser can get right in there and take care of it all. Votes: -1

Georige Porgie pudding and pie,
Sandy Blunt was fired and it made him cry.
Now that Sandy and Georgie can no longer play,
PLEASE PLEASE GEORGIE, JUST GO AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Votes: +5

What is WSI waiting for? Give an explanation on the whistleblower issue....unsure, double checking the law now? Appartently today WSI employees got an e-mail from Rob Forward stating he was the only available representative of Human Resources during much of this week (other reps not available), this is really funny...how can you be in the Legal Department, interim Special Investigations Unit Manager and an Internal Investigator. Boy, we should check his salary, he should have gotten an increase with all his extra duties. How can a guy be hired to work Legal Department, then turn into a manager of one of the whistleblowers, then interview the same whistleblower on an internal investigation (conflict of interest or what) now be a Human Resource Representative....Who can the WSI employees go to? It is all run by the same people...it doesn't matter which way they turn. Interesting isn't it? Votes: +2

10-4 Voyager! First you have Rob Forward the attorney, then he's the interim special investigations manager while Romi's out on leave, and supervising Flanagan. During that time and currently, he's now a WSI investigator, then, wait, wait for it, poof, becomes an HR manager, while all this time still an attorney working in cahoots with the AG's attorneys, who are really only "half-attorneys". And, all the while reporting back to Blunt and Halvorson. Seems free of conflict to me??? What a honest, ethical and man of integrity he must be! I want to go to him with a real HR issue? Votes: +4

Right on the money Voyager... Forward supervises Flanagan for 6 months, writes his review, gives him a raise and praise and then calls him not credible in his investigation! Forward is drunk on the Kool-Aid. Votes: +4

Bruce Furness has very carefully reviewed all things WSI and decided to create a new job for Halvorson, 2nd man in charge. Basically the whole agency reports to Halvorson and Furness just keeps doing the PR stuff. Those Sunday work hours really paid off. Amazing how upset Furness was about somebody looking in Armstrong's office for a state owned pad of paper, but he has no concern that chief legal counsel gave the former CEO the ok to dig into employees personal, protected DOT files and that ended up being against the law and causing Blunt to face criminal charges. Looks like she got promoted too. Boy, the Fargo Forum sure had it wrong. These people didn't need to go, they just need to be promoted. Votes: +5

Well WSI has taken the whole spool of rope, and still it isn't enough to hang themselves with!! We just have to take this all in to perspective though, if this is true about Halvy, realize that Furness was appointed by the "Governor", and christened by Conolly even before the audit was done being presented. WSI has eliminated anyone at that agency that threw up a red flag (ok a legitimate red flag, unlike someone that filed for whistleblower protection to make it look good, and is still employed at WSI). WSI has chased off any investigations, been able to reduce anything to a petty crime not worth bringing to court, and had help for the longest time blocking public records ( maybe in an effort for a certain whistleblower to dispose of what could be incriminating) so no one could really see what was going on.

This whole WSI issue of "Why is everyone picking on this agency?" attitude is nothing more then them trying to get sympathy from the general public. (Well as I always say "you know where sympathy is in the dictionary, between the words shit, and syphilis!") Give you any indication how much sympathy I give the people at this agency that could care less about the ones they are there to help?

They will all have to answer to someone higher then us one day, then again maybe much sooner if they keep engaging their mouths, before their brains!
Votes: +2

Just when we thought the WSI mess might improve, our hopes are dashed once again. Bruce Furness was supposed to be the answer to correct the direction of this corrupt state agency, with its shifty management and its overall disregard for anything but themselves.

Furness has proven several things in his short stay at WSI. His momentous statement that he liked it so well he was going to stay on longer than intended. He also made a statement that he would talk to everyone in the agency, but he?s limited that to senior management. The very senior management that everyone says should be fired for the agency to return to normal. Now he?s named John Halvorson to be second in command and the attorney, Tim Wahlin, to be in charge of the claims division.

John Halvorson is a piece of work. He has survived since the Traynor days, the only one left. Not that he?s qualified for any type of management position, but he does make a nice puppet for the Republican party. Always has. The brown coloring on his face would indicate his method of staying at the top of the management heap. His part in the back-stabbing of Brent Edison cost a lot of good people their jobs at WSI. One would have to question whether good old John sleeps well at night, but I imagine the six-figure salary they provide him comforts him greatly. Another thought ? the word nepotism keeps creeping in. How do they intend to skirt this issue?

Tim Wahlin is an attorney at WSI. The attorney?s purpose at WSI is to ensure ND law is complied with, but they are there to protect the fund of WSI as well. Attorneys are to make sure no one receives benefits that don?t deserve them. However, lately it would seem the attorneys have gone a little overboard with their power and decisions. WSI isn?t on the chopping block for nothing. Putting a lawyer in charge of claims is not a wise choice.

Furness has endeared himself to some of the rank and file employees by telling them to stop blogging if they are doing so. Since when is he in charge of free speech? He didn?t say anything to the attorney who blogs during work hours. Maybe he should stop the insanity of the managers and the blogging would stop.

Bruce Furness might have impressed people in Fargo, but he sure as hell has disappointed everyone here in Bismarck. In his short stay here, he has proven his alliance to the Republican party, John Hoeven, and his wallet. Furness has alienated himself from the employees of WSI by failing to deliver what he promised. He has chosen to follow WSI policy, disregard any study or consultant that negatively assesses the agency and laud any report that suits their fancy. Employee morale will never improve with the present management. They cannot be trusted. They are inept. They are dangerous. Almost as dangerous as the Governor and the politicians who allow this farce to continue.
Votes: +6

All I can guess is someone high up in that place must have a picture of someone higher then them doing something with a sheep that they shouldn't be doing!
Votes: +2

Things will never change until the board is dissolved and the governor is in control. The people can revolt and tell the governor to get rid of Halvorson, Armstrong, Marthaller (Mary how do you like being the subject of talk, much like you make other the subject of your pathetic rantings), and others or you won't be representing us anymore. I think its time to storm the capital and demand change, real meaningful change. Votes: +3

The Chamber is the problem.

We must take back WSI. Votes: +3

Gullible ? adj: easily deceived, cheated, or duped.

An interesting word. It pertains to a number of people that have come into contact with senior management at WSI.

The politicians were the first to be duped. Pat Traynor and his republican cronies took advantage of a not great situation, convinced the politicians that a board of directors would fix any problems at the agency. They wrote in too much power when they did that.

The board of directors was next. Through the leadership of the board chairman, who had direct ties to the republican party, garnered the necessary votes within the board to quash any resistance from other board members. Initially, direction came from a former CEO of WSI. The meltdown began upon the firing of Brent Edison. They inexplicably continue to listen to senior WSI management to flounder on. Their credibility is in the cellar.

The last person to receive the duping is Bruce Furness. He entered into the WSI arena with a reputation for fixing situations like WSI and was personally endorsed by Governor Hoeven. For someone with a reputation, his Bismarck track record is indeed pitiful. Not only did he limit his listening to WSI employees at the executive level, he chastised the rank and file employees for blogging. He instructed them to immediately stop. His new organization chart places senior management back at the helm. These are the same people whose resignations have been called for by the public and media!

Senior management has not been able to deceive four groups of people: current WSI employees, former WSI employees, those companies and agencies that discovered negative findings in their audits, and finally, the media. Why is it that these groups of people are being ignored by the politicians? The first three groups know senior management and what they are capable of doing. The media learns from the first three groups.

It?s time to rid ourselves of any politicians that are protecting the status quo at WSI.
Votes: +7

Furness isn't being duped. He's a member of the super-duper duping party. Votes: +7