DC Mayor Faces 911 Whistleblower Complaint

The former interim director of the 911 center in Washington, D.C., filed a whistleblower complaint against District Mayor Muriel Bowser (D), the Office of Unified Communications (OUC) and the D.C. Fire and Emergency Medical Services (FEMS) Department. The D.C. Superior Court set a virtual initial scheduling conference for June 2 at 9:30 a.m. EDT (case 2023-CAB-001335). Cleo Subido alleged the District “retaliated against her after she disclosed irregularities, violations of laws and regulations, gross mismanagement, waste, fraud, and abuse, and threats to the health and safety of the public concerning the manner in which [OUC] operated.” After repeated 911 failures by OUC, Subido made changes to bring the office in compliance with national standards, cooperated with a D.C. audit, responded to FOIA requests, “truthfully” responded to media queries and “brought to the attention of her staff and superiors … deep and at times fatal flaws in OUC’s operations.” In response, Bowser “scuttled Ms. Subido’s anticipated promotion to OUC’s permanent Director, and instead demoted her,” Subido claimed. In November, Bowser “inexplicably placed Ms. Subido on administrative leave.” In January, after Subido raised legal concerns, defendants terminated her employment, she said. “Defendants’ actions were intended to silence Ms. Subido and deter others from raising and/or addressing similar concerns.” Subido seeks relief including “reinstatement to the position she would have held” without the retaliation, “recovery of all lost wages, salary, and employment benefits,” interest, damages, injunctive relief and attorney fees, she said. The D.C. Council is scheduled to consider the nomination of OUC acting Director Heather McGaffin, named in the complaint, at a roundtable March 15 (see 2302240061). OUC has been criticized about recent audits finding problems at the 911 office and specific incidents where incorrect addresses and miscommunication led to dispatching delays (see 2212060042, 2211100036 and 2209090049). OUC declined to comment Wednesday. Bowser and FEMS didn’t comment.