TribBlog: Workers' Comp Chief Blasts Whistleblowers

As the Division of Workers' Compensation heads into a public hearing at the Sunset Advisory Commission next week, Commissioner Rod Bordelon is blasting his former employees for their allegations in the Texas Tribune earlier this month, putting the blame on them for abuse and mismanagement in the system. The former staff members, who were in charge of investigating medical fraud by doctors in the workers' comp system, say the agency - and specifically the Commissioner - failed to sanction or enforce dozens of doctors who are abusing the workers' comp system, possibly for political reasons.

Bordelon calls the allegations "completely false and baseless" in a letter to lawmakers who sit on the Sunset Commission, which is currently overseeing the top-down review of the Division. An excerpt from his letter to Sunset Commission chairs and vice-chairs:

The facts show that [former Assistant Medical Advisor Dr. Ken Ford] and certain other former agency staff members who allege abuse and mismanagement in the Texas Tribune and subsequent news reports were themselves abusing and mismanaging the MQRP and enforcement process through their repeated failture to adhere to the approved process, jeopardizing the enforcement of cases.

I want to assure you that I take very seriously my responsibility to oversee and fair and just enforcement of the law and the rules of this agency, including efforts to protect injured employees from potential harm by their health care providers, while also being mindful of and protecting the due process rights of all system participants.

Read the full letter by Commissioner Bordelon: