Unity Center Whistleblower Sues County, Unity

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – A Multnomah County employee who blew the whistle on mistreatment of patients at Legacy’s Unity Center for Behavioral Health has sued the county for retaliation and is seeking $1.1 million.

The Oregonian/OregonLive reports Greg Monaco, who worked as a county mental health investigator for nearly 30 years, alleges he was pressured to retire early after raising concerns of abuse.

He is also suing Legacy Health, the Unity Center and the center’s vice president, who resigned Feb. 1.

The suit was filed Monday in Multnomah County Circuit Court. In it, Monaco says he repeatedly told his bosses and county auditors about his concerns about understaffing, poor management and risks to patient safety at the Portland area’s main mental health facility.

Due in part to his whistle-blowing, patient deaths and other adverse patient outcomes were reported by news outlets and outside investigations were launched.
—
Information from: The Oregonian/OregonLive, http://www.oregonlive.com