Raleigh, N.C. — The North Carolina State Personnel Commission says the firing of a 17-year employee with the state Division of Motor Vehicles was appropriate.

Kenneth Cassidy was an assistant district supervisor in the DMV's License and Theft Bureau before he was fired on March 20 on the ground that he had violated a directive from DMV officials by talking to another employee in his office.

The termination came after Cassidy provided information to The News & Observer in Raleigh about emissions specialists not having enough work and problematic hirings in the department.

Emissions employees in his office had complained that Cassidy had harassed them and acted inappropriately toward them. He was ordered not to associate with them.

DMV officials fired Cassidy for unacceptable conduct after he was seen saying goodbye to a one of the workers, who had resigned.

In November, senior administrative law Judge Fred Morrison ruled the DMV directive was too broad to be enforceable, and he recommended that the agency give Cassidy his job back, with back pay, and pay his legal fees.

The State Personnel Commission said the DMV had just cause for Cassidy's dismissal and that the DMV had properly followed personnel procedures.

Cassidy has 30 days to appeal the decision in the Wake County Superior Court if he chooses.