More secret probing?

GREATER Dandenong councillor Maria Sampey claims the council has launched a second “secret probe” into her matters, soon after she took stress leave over an earlier confidential investigation.
Cr Sampey has been off on leave since lodging a WorkCover claim against the council in November, accusing them of causing her mental distress and depression.
She says soon after, chief executive John Bennie – currently on leave – launched a confidential internal investigation into her claims.
“It’s just another type of secret investigation,” she said.
Cr Sampey said she was interviewed for 90 minutes by a council officer over “whether I was stressed out or not”.
She claimed the officer concluded there wasn’t any evidence the council caused Cr Sampey’s stress but showed little interest in the councillor’s documented evidence such as internal emails.
“She did a bodgy investigation… it was a pre-determined outcome.
“Apparently that’s what the council does to look after their staff… it’s all rubbish.”
“I won’t be making any comment over questions on this matter,” acting chief executive Jody Bosman said.
His response was the same when asked if the council’s investigation was a normal course-of-action or whether the probe had ended.
Cr Sampey said she hoped WorkCover would investigate the conduct of Mr Bennie and recent mayor Angela Long over a “private and confidential” probe they launched into her and Cr Peter Brown in May.
Crs Brown and Sampey were accused of causing council staff to feel hurt and distressed while pushing for the repair of a botched footpath in Noble Park.
The two accused councillors, adamant they had done no wrong, have fought for the public release of the investigation report.
They have access only to a version of the report edited by M+K Lawyers.
The council has persistently declined to comment on the matter or the cost of the probe. It does not intend to release the report for public scrutiny.
“What upsets me is they send out letters that are marked strictly private and confidential,” Cr Sampey said.
“What have they got to hide?”