Benjamin Nowain – a Shasta County employee who filed a whistleblower complaint in 2024 – has been reinstated to his former position by an independent arbitrator. The county placed him on administrative leave in July of that year, and then terminated him from his position in October. The ruling by David Weinberg orders that Nowain be reinstated, subject to a one- week suspension, and that he be made whole for lost pay and benefits. The ruling found the county failed to follow required disciplinary standards and determined that senior county leadership — including the county’s top administrative official and an elected official — intervened in the disciplinary process, undermining the legitimacy of the county’s actions. While the county alleged misconduct related to internal communications, the arbitrator made clear those allegations were not determinative. The decision emphasized that the investigation and termination did not meet required procedural or evidentiary standards and could not justify termination. Nowain, who was just arrested last week for disrupting a Board of Supervisors meeting, said he is reviewing all options moving forward, but no decisions have been made regarding additional legal action.