2021 is off to an exciting start for Mark DeSio, former communications director for Treasurer Fiona Ma. He first joined the Treasurer’s office when Ma took office in January 2019 and left last month to focus on finishing the first book in a three-volume series he’s writing. The fiction novel, “The Third Secret,” being published by Christian publishing company Covenant Publishing from North Carolina, is due to hit Barnes and Noble, Amazon and other book stores in April or May. DeSio describes the book as “the Da Vinci Code meets the Godfather.” An Italian immigrant during WWII is recruited by the President to be his liaison to the Pope in Rome. The protagonist learns a secret, arousing the curiosity of his son and a reporter in Sacramento. “Along the way, the two men are met with danger from forces that do not want them to uncover the hidden secret,” DeSio explains. “Of course, the future for all of us depends on the good guys finding it.” Another bit of exciting news is that DeSio found out yesterday that he won an award from the Northern Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists during its 36th Annual James Madison Freedom of Information Awards, which recognized people and organizations of Northern California “who have made significant contributions to advancing freedom of information and expression in the spirit of James Madison, the creative force behind the First Amendment.” DeSio was awarded the “Whistleblower” award for providing “critical information” to state investigators while working at the Board of Equalization as deputy director of external affairs. The investigation “uncovered a range of BOE corruption, including nepotism, self-dealing, steering donations to favored charities, unauthorized hiring and salary increases, and misuse of employee time for political events.” After DeSio was “dismissed” from his post in 2017, he filed a wrongful termination suit, which was settled in 2020 with recovery of lost wages and attorney fees. The Society of Professional Journalists say “DeSio’s courage in exposing wrongdoing was a public service, creating better government in California.” Desio says he’s humbled and proud to have received the award. “I spoke up and I’m proud of myself for doing so. It wasn’t easy,” DeSio said. “This award is really special because, as a former reporter myself, I have great respect for our journalists and the recognition by people like them who shine a light on government every day means a lot.” Contact: DeSio, mark.desio@gmail.com.