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October 20, 2011

DEP employee sues over demotion

By The Mainebiz News Staff

A state employee has sued the head of the Maine Department of Environmental Protection alleging her testimony against ending a ban on the BPA chemical caused her to be demoted.

Andrea Lani of Whitefield last week filed the suit against Patricia Aho, commissioner of the DEP, and Ronald Dyer, director of the DEP Bureau of Remediation and Waste Management, according to the Bangor Daily News. Lani, who has worked for the DEP since 1999, in March testified in opposition to LD 1129, which would have effectively repealed the Kid-Safe Products Act. She testified as a private citizen and mother of three. The suit claims Lani was then moved from her role of implementing the Toxic Chemicals in Children's Products law to a job in records management, and that her post in the safer chemicals program was filled by a less qualified individual. LD 1129 was not passed.

Lani is seeking reinstatement of her former position. The Maine Office of the Attorney General, which is defending Aho and Dyer, said it is reviewing the suit and will respond in 60 days.

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