NJ settles with fired health official who filed COVID whistleblower lawsuit

A former top health official who was fired after helping to lead the state's initial COVID-19 response settled the whistleblower lawsuit he filed against the Murphy administration in 2020.

Former Department of Health Assistant Commissioner Chris Neuwirth will receive a $2.25 million settlement. The New Jersey State Ethics Commission also officially dismissed all allegations that Neuwirth violated state ethics rules during his tenure.

"From day one, I maintained that I acted ethically, lawfully, and in the best interest of the people of New Jersey," Neuwirth said in a statement. "The resolution of this matter — both the settlement and the full dismissal of the ethics case — affirms what I've said all along. I am grateful this long and difficult chapter is finally closed."

Neuwirth's lawsuit, filed in Mercer County Superior Court, initially named Murphy's then-chief of staff, George Helmy, and now-Attorney General Matt Platkin, who was Murphy's chief counsel at the time.

Defamation charges were also dismissed from the suit two years ago.

Neuwirth claims he was fired in May 2020 in retaliation for refusing to test a relative of Helmy's for COVID-19 at a time when supplies were scarce.

The administration denied that allegation but didn't say in court why he was fired. In public and in news reports, though, Murphy and Platkin suggested Neuwirth improperly held a second job.

Katie Sobko covers the New Jersey Statehouse. Email: sobko@northjersey.com

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NJ settles with fired health official who filed COVID lawsuit