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September 14, 2008

Kingsville fire chief, assistant put on paid leave

Chip Laugen and Angie Cliff must turn over keys, equipment and records belonging to the township by 3 p.m. today

By STACY MILLBERG - Staff Writer - smillberg@starbeacon.com

KINGSVILLE TOWNSHIP — Fire Chief Chip Laugen and Assistant Chief of Emergency Medical Services Angie Cliff were placed on paid administrative leave for an indefinite period of time pending the outcome of an investigation into allegations aimed at the two.

The trustees unanimously voted to place the two on administrative leave after about a 30 minute executive session at an emergency meeting Saturday at the fire hall. Both Laugen and Cliff were instructed to turn over their keys and any equipment and records belonging to the township by 3 p.m. today.

The decision comes at the wake of a citizens’ investigation into 14 allegations aimed primarily at the fire chief. The investigation found a wide range of alleged abuses and unprofessional behavior, according to a copy of the group’s report. Infractions range from use of the fire department for personal use to installing a surveillance camera in a department office without the knowledge of township trustees.

Laugen’s attorney, Leo Talikka, referred to the investigation as a “witch hunt.” Talikka said the allegations against Laugen began at the end of May after Laugen suspended someone for unauthorized use of fire department equipment.

“I’m disappointed in how this situation is being handled,” Talikka said.

The trustees received an unsigned letter with the 14 allegations and a four-member committee was appointed to investigate the allegations, Talikka said.

“How would (the trustees) know who to contact if the letter was unsigned, unless someone made personal contact with the trustees,” he said.

The committee focused on 14 separate complaints. The group found:

n Laugen hid a camera in a fire department office. Images from the camera were transmitted over the Internet

n “Inadequate maintenance of fire apparatus,” resulting in trucks failing to start and running out of gas. Other equipment, including breathing apparatus, is checked only periodically and department policies regarding equipment care are not followed, according to the report.

n In early March, Laugen used township equipment to pump water out of a basement of a property he co-owns, a service denied other township residents during the same time period, according to the committee. A report on the use of the truck was not filed

n Two non-certified members of the fire department received payment in 2007

n Drinking alcohol occurs in the fire hall, although no alcoholic beverages are permitted when the hall is rented for private functions

n Laugen “does not act professionally, including yelling profanities,” according to the report. At the same time, Laugen does not control displays of rage and disrespect from “some department members.”

n Laugen had the township pay for a firefighter to attend a class he had already completed

Talikka said Laugen has never been given the opportunity to respond to the allegations and discuss the matter with trustees. Laugen has no idea who submitted the letter to the trustees, Talikka said.

The decision to place Cliff on administrative leave was made so trustees could look into allegations brought forth by Laugen, said Dennis Huey, trustee.

Trustees appointed Neil Stewart as temporary interim fire chief. Stewart will receive no compensation initially, but Huey said compensation will be considered at a later time.

Trustees went back into executive session at just before 2 p.m. to discuss personnel matters within the fire department. The trustees were not planning to adjourn the meeting, carrying the executive session over until the next meeting, Huey said.

Trustees are scheduled to continue the investigation after their Sept. 24 regular meeting. Sworn testimony will be heard.

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