By Adam Pagnucco.
UFCW Local 1994, which represents most employees of Montgomery County Government, and Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 35, which represents county police officers, are demanding an investigation of the county’s Office of Human Resources. The unions rely in part on the testimony of a whistleblower who once worked in the office, allegedly witnessed misconduct and was ultimately terminated. They have also filed a grievance related to allegations of violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
The unions’ press release appears below.
*****
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 13, 2026
Contact:
Aaron Smith, UFCW Local 1994 Union Representative
asmith@mcgeo.org
Ryan Conlon, UFCW Local 1994 Senior Representative
rconlon@mcgeo.org
UFCW Local 1994 MCGEO, Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 35 Demand Independent Investigation into Alleged Disability Discrimination and Retaliation in Montgomery County Government
Gaithersburg, Md. – UFCW Local 1994 MCGEO and Montgomery County Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 35 are demanding an immediate and independent investigation into serious allegations of discrimination, retaliation, and violations of federal, state, and local laws within Montgomery County Government’s Office of Human Resources (OHR) and Occupational Medical Services (OMS).
The unions are calling for an outside investigation because their initial request for help from the Office of the Attorney General’s civil rights division, first raised in February, has languished without action while Montgomery County Government has effectively been allowed to investigate itself.
The allegations involve potential violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Equal Employment Opportunity laws, the reasonable accommodation process, and collective bargaining agreements covering county employees and police officers represented by MCGEO and the FOP.
The demand for an independent investigation follows detailed whistleblower allegations made by former Montgomery County Disability Program Coordinator Christopher Van Fultz, a service-connected disabled veteran and former federal disability programs specialist. Van Fultz alleges that during his tenure within Montgomery County Government’s Office of Human Resources, he witnessed systemic discrimination against employees with disabilities, particularly disabled veterans and employees seeking reasonable accommodations.
According to Van Fultz, employees requesting accommodations were routinely subjected to hostility, disparaging remarks, improper denials of accommodations, and failures to follow the federally mandated interactive process under the ADA. He further alleges that after raising concerns internally and filing formal complaints with county entities, he faced retaliation, threats to his employment status, and ultimately termination during his probationary period.
“These allegations are deeply disturbing and demand a truly independent investigation,” said Gino Renne. “For months, these concerns have sat unresolved while the County has essentially investigated its own conduct. Employees and the public deserve confidence that any review of these allegations is impartial, transparent, and free from internal influence.”
The unions also point to concerns raised by members of the FOP, who have filed multiple grievances related to duty status determinations and alleged denials of reasonable accommodations involving Montgomery County Police officers.
“Our officers deserve fair treatment and full protection under the law,” said Lee Holland, president of FOP Lodge 35. “The allegations outlined by this whistleblower align with concerns we have raised for years regarding the handling of accommodations and medical determinations affecting our members. These matters are too serious to continue being handled internally without outside oversight.”
Van Fultz’s testimony includes allegations that:
- Employees with disabilities were described as “lazy” or “gaming the system.”
- Disabled veterans were allegedly stereotyped as dangerous or unstable.
- Accommodation requests were denied without proper legal review or compliance with federal law.
- Employees were improperly pushed into the County’s Priority Consideration process rather than being provided accommodations.
- Complaints filed internally with Human Rights, EEO, and Labor Relations offices were ignored or left uninvestigated.
- Employees and potential witnesses were allegedly discouraged from speaking out through threats of retaliation or legal action.
“Montgomery County employees who are ready, willing, and able to perform their jobs with reasonable accommodations deserve dignity, fairness, and compliance with the law,” Renne added. “The residents of Montgomery County also deserve confidence that their government is operating ethically and lawfully. That confidence cannot exist when the County is reviewing allegations against itself behind closed doors.”
In addition to the whistleblower allegations, UFCW Local 1994 MCGEO has formally filed a union grievance against Montgomery County Government’s Office of Human Resources and Occupational Medical Services, alleging widespread and ongoing violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Montgomery County Personnel Regulations, Equal Employment Opportunity laws, and the union’s collective bargaining agreement.
The grievance alleges that OMS and OHR have “systematically and continuously failed” to comply with disability accommodation laws and contractual obligations, resulting in serious harm to bargaining unit employees. According to the filing, employees have experienced improper denials of accommodations, inaccurate and allegedly falsified Health Status Reports, loss of wages and benefits, altered work assignments, denied telework opportunities, and even separation from County employment.
The grievance further states that some employees were subjected to accommodation determinations that conflicted with their medical providers’ recommendations and alleges failures by County officials to properly engage employees throughout the legally required interactive accommodation process.
“As more information comes to light, it is becoming increasingly clear that these are not isolated incidents,” said Renne. “Our union has now formally documented a pattern of conduct that has impacted numerous employees across Montgomery County Government. Workers should not have to fear retaliation, loss of employment, or humiliation simply because they requested accommodations guaranteed under the law.”
The grievance seeks comprehensive remedies for affected employees, including reinstatement, restoration of lost wages and benefits, correction of employment records, reimbursement for expenses, and the opportunity for impacted employees to reengage in a lawful and compliant accommodation process.
Documents related to this complaint can be found here: https://www.mcgeo.org/download/whistleblower-complaint-documents-2026_05/
# # #
UFCW Local 1994 Press Releases
___
UFCW Local 1994 MCGEO represents 8,000 workers in Maryland, most of whom are in public service. Bus Operators, Public Health Nurses, Police & Sworn Sheriff Officers, librarians, and employees in public housing and social services make up the ranks of Local 1994 employees. For more information on who we represent, visit our website at www.mcgeo.org.