Ohio Fire Chief Accused of Nepotism Over Promotion

The Ohio Ethics Commission is investigating Madison Twp. Fire Chief Kent Hall for promoting his wife to fire lieutenant.

Source Dayton Daily News, Ohio

March 15, 2014

3 min read

March 15--Madison Twp. Fire Chief Kent Hall is under investigation for nepotism by the Ohio Ethics Commission for promoting his wife to a lieutenant position within the department last year.

Hall, who is also a sergeant and 26-year veteran of the Butler County Sheriff's Office, was given a two-day suspension from that job for not telling his superiors about the probe.

Susan Willeke, spokeswoman for the Ohio Ethics Commission, said she could not confirm or deny that Hall is under investigation. But sheriff's office documents, township officials and Hall all confirmed that there is an ongoing investigation into the promotion of Hall's wife, Teresa, to EMS lieutenant in February 2013.

Hall told the commission's investigators in December that his wife was one of four candidates for the job opening and that she received the promotion upon agreement by a panel comprised of the department's deputy chiefs and himself. Teresa Hall served as EMS lieutenant from February to November 2013, but stepped down when her husband was contacted by the state about the investigation. The EMS position is not a paid one, but Teresa Hall would have gotten a $250 check for her volunteer services at the end of the year, according to investigatory records from the sheriff's office.

Kent Hall, who makes about $10,000 a year as fire chief, declined to discuss details of the investigation until an outcome has been determined. But he did say this has been a learning experience for him, and that he should have abstained from voting for his wife's promotion.

"It is a minor issue. That's what I was told by the ethics commission," Kent Hall said, adding there was no monetary gain from his wife's promotion, so he didn't "think twice" about being included in the decision process.

"But this happens all the time in small, volunteer departments everywhere," he said, noting fathers, brothers and sons are promoting family members without knowing the law.

Capt. Mike Craft, of the Butler County Sheriff's Office, said sheriff's officials received an anonymous tip about the OEC investigation on Feb. 11 and opened their own internal investigation shortly afterward. Craft said Hall was disciplined Feb. 24, per department policy, because sheriff's office employees must report when they are the subject of any investigation or civil action.

Hall said he did not tell his sheriff's office supervisors about the investigation because he tries to keep his job with the county and with the township separate.

"The fact that he did not report the investigation to the sheriff's office is the only reason he was disciplined," said Craft, who called Hall's performance record prior to that "spotless."

"He admitted he was wrong for not reporting it and it's over," he said.

But the OEC investigation is not. The ethics commission could return a finding that the nepotism allegation is unfounded; find cause but settle the case through the commission's authority; or find cause that could result in criminal charges. If criminal charges are warranted, the case would be turned over to Butler County prosecutor for consideration.

Township Administrator Todd Farler and Trustees Dwight Walter and Alan Daniel all declined comment until the investigation is completed. Trustee Brian McGuire could not be reached for comment.