Neuwirth files whistleblower suit, seeks reinstatement as assistant Heath Commissioner

Christopher Neuwirth has filed a whistleblower lawsuit alleging that he was fired from his post as Gov. Phil Murphy’s Assistant Commissioner of Health in retaliation for filing ethics complaints against Murphy administration officials.

Neuwirth is seeking reinstatement to his position managing the state Health Department’s emergency preparedness operations, a key role during the state’s coronavirus pandemic.

He is using the same employment law firm that Murphy administration official Katie Brennan used in her civil suit against the state.

“To be retaliated against for doing exactly what state employees are instructed to do in their annual ethics training is simply incomprehensible,” Neuwirth said.  “It’s hard for me to understand why my closest, trusted colleagues within DOH leadership, including the Commissioner and Chief of Staff, would treat me in such a callous and malicious manner — without ever once speaking to me about their concerns.”

Neuwirth denies that his termination was because of outside employment at Margolis Healy.

“It’s clear that accusing me of wrongdoing and leaking information to the media was a convenient cover story for pursuing an ethics complaint, in addition to, the administration lying and mischaracterizing my external employment and workplace performance,” said Neuwirth.  “I am confident that once all of the facts surrounding my termination have come to light it will be clear that I never behaved unethically and was terminated for doing what any public servant should be expected to do.”

Among Neuwirth’s allegations: that the State Police superintendent pressured him to collect COVID-19 specimens from a top administration official.

According to Neuwirth’s attorney, the former assistant commissioner’s refusal led to workplace retaliation and his exclusion from meetings dealing with the state’s response to the deadly coronavirus pandemic.  He attempted to file an ethics complaint, the complaint alleges, but the ethics liaison officer refused to process it.

Murphy declined to comment on the lawsuit, but one of his top aides did weigh in.

“We look forward to a putting forward a vigorous defense against this meritless complaint,” said Dan Bryan, a senior advisor to the governor.