By Bennett Haeberle
WDRB-TV Fox 41
LA GRANGE, KY — Past problems of sex acts among employees, concerns over money and a “toxic” environment inside Oldham County EMS have compelled county officials to fire top supervisors.
Emergency ambulance tax district board chairman David Thompson and EMS Director Ron Wilder were forced to resign, County Judge Executive David Voegele confirmed Monday, stressing that the internal concerns have not prevented the department from quality service.
While Voegele declined to provide details of their dismissals, he said it was part of a “fine tuning” effort to improve the department.
But others close to the matter tell WDRB News that a recent federal lawsuit forced leaders here to make changes.
The lawsuit details a past environment where employees and supervisors had sex with each other, racy emails and pictures were exchanged and “sexual conduct was discussed openly,” according to a memorandum opinion written by federal Judge John Heyburn.
Kristina M. Frederick, a paramedic, sued the county alleging she was sexually harassed and discriminated against. She lost the lawsuit after the jury sided with the defendants in late April, but details of her three-way sex encounter with former EMS Director Lance Vincent and his wife set off alarm bells within the department.
Their emails to each other were forwarded to other employees, the lawsuit states. Frederick claims she was harassed and discriminated while an employee but admitted to her against sexual relationship with Vincent.
“From the point of view of employee morale and the reputation of the organization (the lawsuit) was not helpful... not helpful in the least. We want to stop any inappropriate activities as soon as possible,” said Voegele.
There have also been more recent financial concerns about a proposed EMS substation, Voegele said.
“I came to the conclusion that we needed to be more efficient and we’re trying to take steps to do that,” he said.
A special meeting was held Monday night away from headquarters to allow employees to air their concerns.
Voegele said it was good meeting.
All the EMS personnel we spoke to declined to say much about the current morale.
“Within the organization there have been some questions about morale and also I have questions about the money,” Voegele said.
Voegele says he took plans to build a new EMS substation “off the table” out of concern over cost — a $1.7 million price tag he says is too expensive.
Attorneys for both Frederick and Vincent declined to comment.
A special meeting could be held later week to address other concerns like coverage areas and employee policies.
Reprinted with permission from WDRB.