NEW: Wayne Township Trustee Democratic candidate Jeb Bardon reacts to KaraKenney6 investigation. 'We need accountability and a change in operational culture. A new fire chief will be the first major change I implement, if I am elected Trustee.'
Jones, Lang, former fire chief Randy Adams, and Parham pleaded guilty Friday to Conflict of Interest, a felony, following a 2021 WRTV Investigation into compensation for the Wayne Township trustee and Fire Department administration.
They admitted to taking a salary from the nonprofit Wayne Township Fire Department Inc., which contracted with the fire department, and they have agreed to pay a total of $95,817 in restitution to the taxpayers.Adams retired from the department in May 2021, yet Lang remains the fire chief and Parham also remains employed with the fire department.
Jeff Harris, a spokesperson for the Marion County Democratic Party, said there has been no communication between the party and Jones since the charges were announced Friday. "As a candidate for Trustee, I have made it very clear from the beginning of our campaign that we need accountability and a change in operational culture. A new fire chief will be the first major change I implement, if I am elected Trustee. While I respect the judicial process and employment laws, I am prepared to move aggressively forward with a new fire chief and the fire merit commission in fully restoring respect and honor to the Wayne Township Fire Department.
It’s up to employers to enact their own policy standards as to how a conviction impacts or prohibits employment. Court documents reveal the charges involve the public officials' involvement in Wayne Township Fire Department, Inc., a non-profit corporation founded in 1954. On advice of my attorney, I may not share any further details at this time. However, I plan to be as transparent with you as possible and will relay more information as soon as I am able."All four defendants can get the Conflict of Interest charges expunged after one year from the date of sentencing and after paying full restitution, read the plea agreement.
Adams, Jones, and Parham are listed as directors for the nonprofit, Lang is the president and Tim Smith is the secretary, according to the 990 filed in 2020. As WRTV reported in June 2021, Lang got paid a total of $151,766 in 2020 as a deputy chief at the fire department including $14,445 in overtime.Records obtained by WRTV Investigates showed Adams and his administration charged taxpayers overtime for travel to inspect fire trucks and to attend meetings at the administration building.
WRTV Investigates’ findings were concerning to several City-County Councilors who represent Wayne Township, including Councilman Jared Evans, D-District 22. That’s a total of $240,820 in taxpayer money that went into the nonprofit in just over two years, and 78% of which went to pay the nonprofit’s board members, according to WRTV’s calculations.“It’s a large amount,” Evans said. “It’s not a good thing, and it’s something we need to get resolved.”
Following WRTV Investigation, the Indiana State Board of Accounts, the state agency that audits local government, conducted an audit of the Wayne Township Fire Department that should be released soon.“A lot of good things come out of audits, including what can we do better to make sure we are building trust and to ensure these sort of things don't continue to happen again,” Evans said.
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