Timothy Walker was brought into the Department of Employment Security to replace Georgia Brahos as human resources director after Brahos was deemed “unqualified.” Walker was sponsored by Laborers’ Union leader Ed Smith. But Walker apparently tried to run things the right way and immediately ran into trouble, according to the Tribune.

Numerous e-mails corroborate Walker’s account and support the conclusion that he ultimately lost his job over his refusal to favor “connected” candidates, according to a Sept. 9, 2004, report by Zaldwaynaka “Z.” Scott, who served as Blagojevich’s first executive inspector general under a law he championed. […]

The inspector general found that the director hired to run the Employment Services Department by Blagojevich wasn’t given the authority to bring in experienced human resources professionals to make personnel decisions.

“Instead, those who sought to bring a sense of professionalism to the operation were viewed as obstructionist and replaced in their positions with those who would `play ball,’” Scott said. […]

The report said Walker immediately ran into stiff resistance from two subordinates, George Rada and Surami “Sudi” Garcia, who “consistently pressured” Walker to hire their friends and candidates from Cini’s office, the investigation found. […]

But Walker said political clout trumped qualifications, and his attempts to promote people or make new hires were constantly obstructed.

And the three people who gave Walker the most trouble about hiring politically connected people, George Rada, Elizabeth Nicholson and Surami “Sudi” Garcia, all avoided being fired, as the Inspector General had recommended. They even avoided discipline.

Walker was fired on an apparently trumped up charge. He was eventually awarded unemployment compensation after the state ruled that his actions were not misconduct. But that didn’t stop the governor’s office from labeling him as a disgruntled former employee with an axe to grind.