Riverside Superior Judge Irma Asberry denied Riverside County’s request to dismiss a case alleging whistleblower retaliation against a former employee.
Former Riverside County waste recycling officer Craig Wilhite claimed in his Sept. 23, 2020, complaint that he was fired after expressing concern over toxic and chemical release done by a county contractor.
Wilhite worked at both the Desert Oasis landfill near Desert Hot Springs and the Bad Lands landfill in Moreno Valley.
Wilhite claimed toxic and dangerous chemicals were released and improperly disposed of on March 17, 2020, according to Asberry’s tentative ruling. Wilhite claimed to tell Rapid Recovery, a county contractor hired to dispose of toxic chemicals, about