The Department of Health's Office of Inspector General has dismissed as unfounded a complaint filed by a former DOH investigator in Miami, WSVN reported.
Christopher Knox, a former law enforcement officer who was said to be good at spotting illegal activity in the health professions, was fired earlier this year after being accused of mishandling cases. He told the media, including Health News Florida, that he believes he was fired for having brought down a Miami pharmacy allegedly involved in oxycodone trafficking.
The owner and a pharmacist at the business were arrested. Charges are pending.
While the State Attorney's Office was investigating what Knox uncovered, he cooperated, he said. Then he received an e-mail from a regional supervisor that said: "...You are to stop all communication with the State Attorney('s) Office. We do not take direction from the State Attorney's Office or law enforcement."
Knox said he considered that order illegal. DOH later disavowed knowledge of the email.