Florida’s former top coronavirus data chief filed a whistleblower complaint Thursday against the Health Department, accusing the agency of firing her in retaliation for refusing to manipulate data to support the push for reopening the state. The complaint comes from former agency data manager Rebekah Jones. While it remains confidential, Jones has said that Health Department officials pressured her to misrepresent COVID-19 statistics to make the disease look less prevalent to justify reopening the economy in early May. Jones is asking to be returned to her job with back pay and other compensation.

Florida&rsquo;s former top coronavirus data chief filed a whistleblower complaint Thursday against the Health Department, accusing the agency of firing her in retaliation for refusing to manipulate data to support the push for reopening the state. The complaint comes from former agency data manager Rebekah Jones. While it remains confidential, Jones has said that Health Department officials pressured her to misrepresent COVID-19 statistics to make the disease look less prevalent to justify reopening the economy in early May. Jones is asking to be returned to her job with back pay and other compensation.

News briefs from the state of Florida.

Florida News Briefs - Florida Podcast

News Briefs from the state of Florida.

Florida News Briefs - Florida

Florida - Ousted Florida data manager Rebekah Jones’ whistleblower complaint takes aim at DeSantis