Three of Sonia Pitt's supervisors reprimanded

The state of Minnesota is reprimanding three of the nine MNDOT managers responsible for either directly or indirectly supervising the now fired Sonia Morphew Pitt. Read the full report

Pitt is the former emergency response manager who was first sharply criticized, then fired, amid scrutiny of her actions both before and after the 35W bridge collapse.

The state fired her amid allegations she used state money to travel to the east coast for personal trips, specifically to see a male friend who worked in the US transportation department.

Pitt also drew sharp criticism for her decision to stay in Washington for nearly two weeks after the bridge fell.

Today, the state confirmed reprimands against three of Pitt's nine supervisors. Read the Dept. of Employee Relations letter to Governor Pawlenty

Division Director Rick Arnebeck received the harshest punishment; a three day suspension.

The investigators concluded Arnebeck did not adequately monitor Pitt's out-of-state travel. Arnebeck admitted to investigators that he reviewed and approved Pitt's travel request forms, but did not compare actual expenses with requested expenses. He also admitted not knowing where she was or what she was doing on a daily basis.

The state also gave a written reprimand to Maintenance and Security Director Steve Lund. Investigators found he was more vigilant in his oversight of Pitt's expenses. But investigators also criticized Lund for failing to order Pitt back to Minnesota in the days after the bridge collapse, calling it an error in judgement.

Investigators also gave an oral reprimand to Division Director Bob Winter.

Four other supervisors were not reprimanded. But investigators complained that two of them, including one who directly supervised Pitt, no longer work at MNDOT and could not be interviewed.

Last week, Pitt's attorneys filed documents claiming the allegations are false. They say Pitt did a good job for MNDOT and deserves to get her job back.

Democrats responded quickly to the reprimands, which were handed down by the state Department of Employee Relations and resulted from an investigation requested by Gov. Pawlenty.

"I just think it's curious," said Speaker of the House Margaret Anderson Kelliher (DFL-Minneapolis). "I think Minnesotans still want to know where is the buck going to stop on this issue? It seems that the top levels of management are not willing to take any sort of accountability for this."

Democratic Sen. Steve Murphy, the chairman of the senate's transportation committee, said Lt. Gov. Carol Molnau, who also serves as the transportation commissioner, should have been held responsible.

"It starts at the top, and Carol Molnau's in charge," he said.. "If somebody should've been reprimanded, it should've been her."

Molnau said she was "focused on serving the people of this state" and intended to keep serving in both roles.

"I'm going to work and continue to serve the people of the state of Minnesota" she said. "The legislature has the power to change that, if they choose to."

Molnau said she has taken steps to correct MnDOT's problems with supervision.

Governor Pawlenty's spokesman, Brian McClung said calling for Molnau's dismissal is an example of Democrats trying to turn this into "a partisan food fight."

But those Democrats could effectively fire Molnau as transportation commissioner early next year by holding a confirmation vote in the senate, where the majority is likely to vote against her

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