Tuesday, May 16, 2017

COLUMBIA COUNTY, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) -- Commissioners are set to speak out on the findings of an investigation into allegations brought forth by former EMA Director Pam Tucker of a hostile work environment.

The commissioners will hold a news conference on Wednesday, May 17 at 10 a.m. in the Government Center Auditorium. According to a county spokesperson, the news conference will address the completed investigation.

News 12 NBC 26 will be there and will let you know the outcome.

Monday, May 8, 2017

COLUMBIA COUNTY, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) -- The investigation into allegations of a hostile work environment has been completed, according to the Columbia County Sheriff's Office.

The reports have been given to the Commissioners and they will release them in ten calendar days.

There will be two reports, one for the allegations from Pam Tucker, former EMA Director and the other for Rusty Welsh, former Deputy EMA Director.

This is a developing story. Check back here for more updates.

Wednesday, March 1, 2017

COLUMBIA COUNTY, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) -- The Columbia County Sheriff's Office has said their investigation into allegations of a hostile work environment in the county is moving along swiftly.

Major Steve Morris said the investigations are continuing and progress is being made, however a completion date has not been set.

County leaders called for an internal investigation following the resignations of EMA Director Pam Tucker and Deputy EMA Director Rusty Welsh back in early February.

Commissioners hope the investigation will address the allegations of a hostile work environment that Tucker stated in her resignation letter, along with allegations made in Welsh's resignation.

To read the full resignation letter by EMA director Pam Tucker,

.

"The Columbia County Board of Commissioners is taking this seriously, and until the findings of the investigation have been reported back to the Commission, we will have no further comments," according to a statement released by the county in February.

News 12 NBC 26 at 6 o'clock / Feb. 1, 2017

COLUMBIA COUNTY, GA. (WRDW/WAGT) -- A day after the Columbia County Emergency Services Director announces her resignation, commissioners call for an internal investigation into allegations of a hostile work environment in the county.

"It could be days. It could be weeks," said Major Steve Morris, Columbia County Sheriff's Office.

Maybe longer until we get answers about what happened behind closed doors of Columbia County's Emergency Services Division.

"We'll conduct a thorough and comprehensive investigation and give them our findings," said Major Morris.

Columbia County Commissioners asked for help from the Sheriff's Office to investigate claims of a "hostile work environment".

"We anticipate conducting an investigation, and then returning our findings and then decide what, if anything, to do," said Major Morris.

Pam Tucker and Rusty Welsh worked in the Emergency Services Division and both sent letters resigning from their positions within one month of each other.

"This internal investigation will address hostile work environment allegations made by both Pam Tucker and Rusty Welsh," said Major Morris.

In his resignation letter, Rusty Welsh claims the "hostile work environment" was at the hands of Pam Tucker claiming she was "controlling, manipulative, and condescending." Tucker claims Administrator, Scott Johnson, is to blame claiming he created a "hostile work environment" complete with "verbal attacks."

"I'm anticipating that we're going to conduct a lot of interviews," said Major Morris.

Today, Columbia County responded saying the, "Board of Commissioners is taking this seriously, and until findings of the investigation have been reported back to the commission, we will have no further comment."

"There's no time table. We're going to be very thorough, very comprehensive, and the commissioners want to get to the truth. And we'll find the truth," said Major Morris.

Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2017

COLUMBIA COUNTY, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) -- County leaders are now calling for an internal investigation to be conducted following the resignations of EMA Director Pam Tucker and Deputy EMA Director Rusty Welsh.

According to the county, Chairman Ron Cross and the commissioners have decided to bring in a neutral, third party to perform an internal investigation of the matter. The request for the investigation was submitted to the Columbia County Sheriff's Office with the understanding that the Internal Affairs division would handle everything from this point forward.

Commissioners hope the investigation will address the allegations of a hostile work environment that Tucker stated in her resignation letter, along with allegations made in Welsh's resignation.

"The Columbia County Board of Commissioners is taking this seriously, and until the findings of the investigation have been reported back to the Commission, we will have no further comments," according to a statement released by the county.

To read the full resignation letter by EMA director Pam Tucker,

.