Delaware County suspends emergency agency directors, citing ‘investigation’
Delaware County’s emergency medical service and Emergency Management Agency directors have been suspended by county commissioners. As IPR’s Stephanie Wiechmann reports, the suspensions could be related to an embezzlement investigation.
In a less-than-four-minute meeting, the Delaware County Commissioners suspended two employees. EMS Director Mike Ashley was suspended with pay for three days. Director of the Emergency Management Agency, John Coutinho, was suspended indefinitely without pay. The second-in-command of both services will be taking over while the suspensions are active.
The reasons for the suspensions weren’t discussed, except for a procedural comment by county attorney John Brooke.
“Because of the nature of the – of investigations going on, the commissioners want to have a discussion about, and decide what they want to do with regard to both of those positions,” he said.
But earlier this month, Delaware County Prosecutor Eric Hoffman confirmed to The Star Press that the Indiana State Police were conducting a criminal investigation of “internal theft committed by a Delaware County employee.” Hoffman said if that investigation suggests criminal charges, his office will file them.
Stephanie Wiechmann is our Managing Editor and “All Things Considered” Host. Contact her at slwiechmann@bsu.edu.
