A top official at the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality has transferred out of the agency, marking the latest of at least five high-level departures from what current and former employees have described as a toxic workplace under Secretary Aurelia Giacometto, Louisiana Illuminator reports.
Undersecretary Christian Griffiths packed up his personal effects and walked out of the office last week, apparently without notice, according to current and former employees. LDEQ’s communications office has confirmed that Griffiths has transferred to the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness.
Griffiths is the second undersecretary and the fifth high-ranking executive to depart LDEQ in the nearly eight months since Giacometto was put in charge of the agency. His exit comes as the state Legislative Auditor’s Office investigates the workplace culture under Giacometto.
