Whistle-Blower Trial Now Set for 2012 In Case Against Bechtel, URS

A superior court judge in Benton County, Wash., has ruled that a whistle-blower lawsuit by an employee at the Hanford nuclear site against contractors Bechtel National and URS Corp. can move forward in May 2012. Walter Tamosaitis claims that, last July, he was removed from his role as technology manager for raising safety issues on the $12.2-billion waste vitrification plant project at the U.S. Energy Dept. site. Bechtel is the contractor. He now is employed by URS, its subcontractor, but in a lesser role, he says. Jack Sheridan, an attorney for Tamosaitis, says the court is set to decide on May 27 on his motion to move up the trial date. Both Bechtel and URS dispute Tamosaitis’ claims and have filed motions to dismiss the case. One company official, who requested anonymity, says DOE has already investigated the claims.