Section 14 Complaints by public employees; investigation - Massachusetts Statutes

Section 14. (a) The inspector general may receive and investigate complaints or information from any public employee concerning the possible existence of any activity constituting fraud, waste and abuse in or relating to programs and operations as described in section seven.

(b) The inspector general shall not, after receipt of a complaint or information from an employee, disclose the identity of the employee without the written consent of said employee, unless the inspector general determines such disclosure is necessary and unavoidable during the course of the investigation. In such event, the employee shall be notified in writing at least seven days prior to such disclosure.

(c) Any employee who has authority to take, direct others to take, recommend, or approve any personnel action, shall not, with respect to such authority, take or threaten to take any action against any employees as a reprisal for making a complaint or disclosing information to the inspector general, unless the complaint was made or the information disclosed with the knowledge that it was false or with willful disregard for its truth or falsity.