State technology official fired over sexual e-mails
MADISON, Wis. (AP) - The lawyer for a former state employee says the man's firing for sending sexually explicit e-mails on the job was too extreme a punishment. But a state panel doesn't agree.
The Wisconsin Employment Relations Commission upheld the firing of Phillip Koenig and released parts of the e-mails that cost the information technology official his job.
The Department of Public Instruction fired Koenig in 2006 for violating work rules. He had been the agency's technical services section chief, in charge of its policies on Internet use.
The department's investigation found well over half of the more than 5,000 e-mails he sent were personal in nature, and many were sent during work hours and sexually explicit. Koenig admitted sending them.
The commission says Koenig sent the suggestive e-mails to at least eight women, had an affair with another state employee and tried to arrange trysts with adults and high school students.
The 43-year-old pleaded guilty last year to sexually assaulting a high school student.
His lawyer Lester Pines contends lesser discipline could have been imposed.
Apr 30, 2008 at 7:10 a.m.
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At my job site, such behavior would also result in firing. The extent of the problem here - including the conviction on sexual charges - tell me the punishment is not enough.
Apr 30, 2008 at 6:34 a.m.
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Our tax dollars at work.. LOL
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