Sonia Morphew Pitt

The Pitts

Mary Lahammer — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 11:03:53 -0500

The federal government's hiring and then firing of fired MnDOT employee Sonia Pitt created quite a reaction in the political world. Lawmakers are stunned. Regular people seem stunned. The blogs are stunned.

Jan Radder writes:

If there were any justice in this world, Sonia Pitt would be flipping burgers at some fast food chain, asking customers, "you want fries with that," while bragging to any and all who would listen that she "used to be somebody."

Book of the Black Dog says:

Crap, crap, crap. Where the hell are we going and why are we in this hand basket?

MinnPost writes:

Where in the world is Sonia Morphew Pitt, the MnDOT disaster coordinator who went AWOL during the 35W bridge collapse? Working for the feds at Homeland Security, the Strib's Paul McEnroe and Tony Kennedy report. She's a "transportation security specialist." Somewhere, FEMA ex-boss Michael Brown is smiling.

The story is a big "get" for the Strib reporters who have been tenacious on the follow up of the bridge collapse. The timing couldn't be worse for the Bush and Pawlenty administrations, the day before the bridge anniversary. The governor's spokesperson said "As you'll recal, our administration fired Sonia Pitt and we can't explain why or how she was hired by the federal government. It seems like a strange decision."

Carol Molnau

tptadmin — Fri, 1 Feb 2008 15:58:40 -0600

Our state's MNDOT Commissioner sat down with Mary Lahammer in the wake of a new statewide poll showing low approval ratings.

MnDOT Managers Reprimanded

Mary Lahammer — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 11:32:04 -0600

Sonia Pitt's managers have now been investigated and disciplined for their lack of oversight of the emergency manager who didn't return until 10 days after the bridge collapse. Rick Arnebeck was suspended without pay for three days. Steven Lund was given a written reprimand. Bob Winter was given an oral reprimand. The letter from the Department of Employee Relations said their "lack of supervisory oversight attributed to extremely damaging consequences" that is a report from the legislative auditor saying Pitt had wrongly traveled and spent state money to the tune of $26,000. The other obvious "consequence" is the worst round of sustained bad press I've seen for a state agency in a decade. MnDOT can't seem to escape rough headlines and now more will be coming. And knowing how lawmakers are feeling, the heat isn't off MnDOT. There's the Wakota Bridge investigation and Commissioner Molnau's confirmation vote in the Senate which will likely get her fired in February.

The Political Panel

tptadmin — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 16:11:48 -0600

Budget forecast ... Mark Ritchie ... the MnDOT audit ... plenty to talk about this week. So we've invited a group of former lawmakers. Democrats Ember Reichgott Junge and Jane Ranum sit on the couch with Republicans Fritz Knaak and Phil Krinkie.

Legislative Auditor James Nobles

tptadmin — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 16:07:05 -0600

Nobles joins us live to talk about his completed investigation of Sonia Morphew Pitt and his upcoming audit of Secretary of State Mark Ritchie.

MnDOT Emergency Manger Fired

Mary Lahammer — Fri, 9 Nov 2007 14:32:52 -0600

After a scathing story in the Strib today, word hit that MnDOT's Emergency Manger who didn't return for 10 days after the bridge collapse has been fired.

Here's press release.

Lt. Governor/Commissioner Carol Molnau issues the following statement regarding a personnel action taken today:

"The Minnesota Department of Transportation discharged from employment Sonia Morphew Pitt, Mn/DOT's director of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, effective noon today, Nov. 9, 2007. This action was taken because an investigation uncovered serious employee misconduct pertaining to out of state travel, misuse of state resources and conduct unbecoming to Mn/DOT. The investigation was conducted in a deliberate and thorough manner in accordance with state law and agency policy. The discharged employee has been advised of certain rights under state law and employment contracts."

After a scathing story in the Strib today, word hit that MnDOT's Emergency Manger who didn't return for 10 days after the bridge collapse has been fired. Here's press release....