Delaware County fires emergency management agency director

Delaware County has fired its Emergency Management Agency director.  As IPR’s Stephanie Wiechmann reports, that’s after the director’s wife was charged with stealing from Delaware County while managing the county EMS office.

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00;00;00;03 - 00;00;08;18 Stephanie Wiechmann Delaware County Commissioner Shannon Henry said the county's Emergency Management Advisory Committee took a vote of no confidence last week for director John Coutinho. 00;00;08;20 - 00;00;15;17 Shannon Henry Recommendation to the commissioners is that that individual be removed from that position. 00;00;15;20 - 00;00;37;16 Stephanie Wiechmann Coutinho's wife, Meagan, was arrested earlier this month and charged with six felonies - four for theft, one for official misconduct and one for conflict of interest. The Indiana State Police say an investigation shows that while she was the office manager at EMS, about 0,000 had been stolen from two separate Delaware County agencies between the years 2021 and 2026. 00;00;37;19 - 00;00;49;07 Stephanie Wiechmann John Coutinho has not been charged with any crime. He has been suspended since late March. Commissioners also promoted Deputy Director Corey Kissick to the agency's top spot. I'm Stephanie Wiechmann in Muncie.

Delaware County commissioner Shannon Henry said the county’s emergency management advisory committee took a vote of “no confidence” last week for director John Coutinho.

“Recommendation to the commissioners is that that individual be removed from that position.”

Coutinho’s wife, Meagan, was arrested earlier this month and charged with six felonies – four for theft, one for official misconduct, and one for conflict of interest.  The Indiana State Police say an investigation shows while she was the office manager at county EMS, about $200,000 had been stolen from two separate Delaware County agencies between the years 2021 and 2026.

John Coutinho has not been charged with any crime.  He has been suspended since late March.

Commissioners also promoted deputy director Cory Kissick to the agency’s top spot.

Stephanie Wiechmann is our Managing Editor and “All Things Considered” Host.  Contact her at slwiechmann@bsu.edu.