A. No public official, employee or agency shall discharge, threaten or otherwise discriminate against a complainant, or public official or employee acting on behalf of a complainant, regarding compensation, terms, conditions, location or privileges of employment because:
1. The complainant, or public official or employee acting on behalf of the complainant, reports or is about to report, verbally or in writing, a violation or a suspected violation of this code of ethics; or
2. A complainant, or public official or employee acting on behalf of the complainant, is requested to participate in an investigation, hearing or inquiry, or any related court action.
B. This section shall not apply to a complainant, or public official or employee acting on behalf of a complainant, who knowingly makes a false report.
C. A court, in rendering judgment in an action brought pursuant to this section, shall order, as the court considers appropriate, reinstatement of the complainant, public official or employee acting on behalf of the complainant, the payment of back wages, full reinstatement of fringe benefits and seniority rights, actual damages or any combination of such remedies. A court may also award the complainant all or a portion of the costs of litigation, including reasonable attorney fees and witness fees, if the court determines that the award is appropriate. (Ord. 09-04-10, 4-20-2009)