Retiring Boone County Public Defender demands large settlement for accrued leave

The following news account of this issue appeared in February 13, 2015, Boone County Journal; SEE: http://www.boonecountyjournal.com/news/2015/Boone-County-News-02-13-15.pdf#page=1 

At the bottom of the posting is a Freedom of Information Request which was made to find out why Boone County was not aware of this unexpected request.

 

The old and new  Boone County personnel policy regarding accrual of annual leave is shown below.  The old policy wording is the lighter printed and struck-out printing.  The new added wording is shown in bolder print and underlined.  This policy comes from “Board Doc” for last month’s Boone County Board meeting (http://www.boarddocs.com/il/boone/Board.nsf/files/9SBQWE6A7C4E/$file/Personnel%20Policy_201412311240.pdf)

 

There appear to be many questions based upon the Minhas situation.  Based upon what facts that are known the following Freedom of Information Request was submitted to Boone County on Friday, February 13, 2015. The yellow highlighting was added to aid the reader.

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST

Reports regarding the financial settlement of Azhir Minhas’ accrued leave request are very disturbing. This settlement questions if Boone County complies with reasonable business practices.

The following documents and information are requested under the Freedom of Information Act:

1. Mr. Minhas’ original request was for accrued leave amounting to nearly $50,000. Please provide any and all documents which Mr. Minhas submitted regarding that original request. If such documents do not exist please provide an explanation of what evidence Mr. Minhas provided for his original claim.

2. Provide copies of county records recording Mr. Minhas’ leave usage and accrual during the last fiscal year (December 1, 2013 thru November 31, 2014).

3. Based upon the personnel policy in effect during FY 2014, the Department Head (Mr. Minhas in the case of the Public Defender’s Office) would approve accrual of annual leave for members of his department. Please provide the documents verifying that Mr.Minhas or his designee approved Mr. Minhas’ accrued leave for the FY 2014. FY 2013, and other years involved in Minhas’ claim. If no such documents exist, so indicate.

4. It would appear that Boone County was aware of this sizeable accrued leave claim at the time that the administration was preparing year end statements for the auditor. Please supply copies of documents supplied to the auditors, regarding possible liability for accrued leave for Mr. Minhas and for leave/sick payment benefits of other county employees including departments run by elected officials. If no such communications occurred please so indicate.

5. I understand that the Boone County Health Department has “reserved” within its accounting system, nearly $20,000 for payment of accrued sick leave for employees who are eligible to retire. Please supply records from all departments (including departments with elected officials) concerning possible payments for accrued leave or sick leave. If no such records exist, so indicate.

6. There were closed session subcommittee and county board meetings regarding the Minhas Settlement. In as much as there is no litigation and Mr. Minhas is no longer employed by the county, please provide electronic recordings of these meetings. These meetings occurred in December 2014 and January 2015.The limited details of the topics discussed make it difficult to pin point the exact meetings involved.

7. I understand there were communications with the Circuit Court judges regarding Mr. Minhas’ leave request. Please provide copies of all written communications with the judges regarding this matter and/or written notes regarding oral communications.

Please send the requested information to my mailing address or call and I will gladly pick it up. If you need a CD recordable disc or other recordable media please contact me and I will provide it.

I have no commercial interest in the information requested. Some of the documents maybe posted on my inter net blog which is available free of cost to the public and has no commercial advertisement.

Sincerely,

BILL PYSSON