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| The deposition of Rayme Edler, who would have been called to testify and who was a fact witness, was damaging, very damaging to the County's case. Very Damaging. Read it, below |
Our case with former employee Matt Selover has settled, and therefore much of the discovery documents, depositions, etc., once redacted appropriately, will be released here.
The deposition of Rayme Edler was devastatingly bad for the county. It was a horror show. Although she had two lawyers falling over themselves to object to just about every question asked of her---Attorney J.J. Talbot was pedestrian, balanced, and methodical in the extraction of damaging information from Edler during this deposition. And unlike me, Rayme Edler would have been called to testify in any trial had we not settled. I never would have been called as I was not a fact witness, not an expert, and my opinions were not and are not relevant to the facts of the case. (a fact ignored by the attorney for the insurance company in her memo to the county, and a fact omitted from the PNJ coverage of this settlement) And had it gone to trial--by the insurance company's own estimation--the County could have been on the hook for up to $820,000.00 PLUS Legal fees. (That devastating fact was conveniently left out of the PNJ's hit piece on me published Monday).
With respect to the medical director at the time of this incident, I received the below opinion from Charlie Peppler about releasing her deposition transcript, which I will be linking to this blog post.
From Deputy County Attorney Charlie Peppler:
"Comm’r,
I have reviewed Dr. Edler’s depo transcript and there does not appear to be any exemptions applicable. You may wish to exercise your own discretion about testimony given by Dr. Edler XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX on pages 173 through 177. Perhaps, redacting those pages with an explanation that they involve personal, sensitive matters of a former employee, but, again, that is your call, I couldn’t find an exemption for this testimony. (In my own opinion, I don’t think the trial judge would let this testimony into evidence on the grounds of relevance, but that is not the issue at this point). Other attorneys in our office are reviewing the depos of William Hopkins and Jana Still and they will get with you when they have finished their review. Regards, Charlie
Charles V. Peppler"
Read the deposition of Rayme Edler, with pages 173-177 removed on the advice of Peppler, here.
16 comments:
Good morning Commissioner,
I think you forgot to put the link in.
It’s always “Not my fault” with you!
Alex can you explain how this is his fault?
When are we going to see ALL the depositions, all the emails, and all the memos from this case? It is no secret the PNJ will cherry pick over things to spin this in the direction they want. You are doing the exact same thing Commissioner Bergosh spinning this as the good commissioner defending the little guy. All of this is starting to read like a Grisham novel with Cliff Notes replaced with certain chapters. After reading the transcripts from the shade meetings personally I have more questions than answers. It has become clear the county made several critical mistakes but its high time that as an elected official you and the other members of the board own this. You sir are an elected official and represent all the citizens of this county. Why did you personally get involved in a legal dispute against the county? At any point did you think you should remove yourself? You may believe you would not have to testify because you do not see yourself as a fact witness. Looks to me you portrayed yourself differently in those meetings. Personally, if I were an attorney for either side and from what I have read I would have put you on the stand. Its beyond time to move past this case and move forward. Release all the transcripts so those of us who think logically and critically can come to our own conclusions. The waters are still muddy, and you sir are not helping to clarify anything.
Could u tell Pino to buzz off
Pino, Nancy wants me to tell you to buzz off.
So far I only read the first 100 pages or so, Will someone briefly direct me to the page where he asks about the other one's being set up to be arrested? And fired?
Can someone tell me how Jack Brown has been able to skate his way out of this controversy? He encouraged Edler to apply, then put himself on the hiring committee, ignored the well respected EMS physician in the room, the Chief of EMS and the Public Safety Director, committed a userra violation which should have cost the county hundreds of thousands, then when the Chief notified people he was going to notify userra, hostile work complaints were shelved and the chief “left”. Then the individual MD who was hired was allowed to essentially take official records into a room with hostile intent individuals for months and months and presto criminal charges filed. HR and Jack were notified but it was swept under the rug just like here with Selover. How is Jack Brown not being held accountable?? Sounds like all the wrong people got cuffs.
Anonymous 9:04--It's not always not my fault. In this case however, it is definitely "not my fault" and if you read the documents available in the case already, and the additional documents that will be coming out in the days ahead on this blog, you will see this with crystal clarity. G.G. Ditto for you-the documents are coming, and many are out already. Your are welcome to your opinions. Anonymous 10:56 I don't know of Jack's culpability in this matter particualrly--other than I'm told and Edler's deposition seems to indicate Jack wanted her as medical director----more than likely in an attempt to tamp-down an EMS issue with the mother of a victim of some poor treatment by a former EMS employee. That issue, along with the closure of fire station 20, and the ridiculous pandering to certian high ranking NFCU reps over the ridiculous, $74 Million dollar "private overpass/skyway over Nature Trail subdivision" (that was never going to happen) are three aftershocks of his tenure which have provided lasting consternation for me individually in my district.....
But you are aware now at least from testimony and released audio recordings that your county administrator at the time strong armed a hiring committee to not hire an individual because of his military status? The comments are a clear userra violation as mentioned by two of the people on the board. I am told that Jack became angry at the EMS Chief for daring to challenge him and made it difficult for the chief to continue to lead effectively. I know there is nothing the BCC can do about it now, but it should be noted. All of this stemmed from an autocratic administration that thought so highly of themselves that he ignored the experts and leaders in the field. He bears responsibility for the dysfunction that has ensued as does Matt C with his feckless leadership that followed.
Thanks for posting these. I read through page 200 so far, so yes the Q/A board was biased and she admitted herself she began retaliation.
JJ knows this case back and forth up and down.
I'm looking forward to seeing Underhill's text messages between these two.
Noted Edler had met with Rescue one prior to the sole source ask with the AMA in tow.
Fromm the shade transcript noted Maddrey did not show up for the deposition, at least at the time.
Was Underhill deposed? I'm not sure you will post that transcript.
I imagine there will be other cases forth coming from the paramedics that were set up and arrested.
This was a real mess, one for a novel.
Looks like it is getting straightened out though.
I see Marlette is still missing the mark. I also note there is a disclaimer about the publication in little itty bitty small print above the cartoon.
Lots to keep up with Coale left also, I think she was involved with sending something over to the PNJ.
There is a lot to unfold and it aligns with exactly what I thought was happening.
Did anyone under oath say who leaked the confidential DOH letter to the press? I think we know who did.
It really is fundamental. People need to have clear guidelines of their duties and responsibilities, have progressive discipline policies in place, be teachable and respectful. Follow the chain of command and org chart. Employees stay off gossip site social media.
The days of firing people on the spot and throwing them under the bus are past.
Thank you to Melissa Pino and to Commissioner Bergosh to see this through to the end.
I know many may not have the entire story as it was much to follow and complicated.
People make errors and they need to be addressed and remedied in an atmosphere of teamwork and trust.
There was bad leadership and it was exposed form top to bottom.
From buying software, improper billing, short timer on retirement not doing their job of supervision. Enterprise write offs, passing out certs, not completing paperwork.
People make mistakes yet there are HR practices in place to help an organization run well.
Hope things improve but we still have hard times ahead, too bad it was already with a deficit this created.
Hey Andy Marlette..
You look stupid.
To some of the other paramedics out there, we see what you went through.
We appreciate your service and dedication to saving lives and are on your side.
(don't pass out fake certs though)Bad move.. if that happened.
It only takes a spark to get a fire going and soon all those around can feel the heat of the explosion.
Hopefully people learned a few things and can move on.
If one doesn't want the Streisand effect, don't start it, with someone who will finish it.
I read it to the end. I was fairly intense the last few pages, so yes, MD was targeting the paramedic. She didn't turn in the other ones who were involved on that call. Very selective. What a horrible thing to do. There comes a time, if they were pulling the stab victim from out of the field, can not do a chest tube procedure, they probably realized it was a lost cause. Those other two would have been called to the stand if it went to trial.
It's good she is gone (I hope she's gone) At will? Done.
The rest involved protecting the MD? We see you.
Seemed like a horrible abuse of power. Not to mention emotional abuse for the first responders out in the field.
Was she intoxicated on the call?
They had proper guidelines. A corrupt and autocratic administration allowed total chaos to ensue to probably cover up decisions that had been made. The problem is that when you play with a snake, you sometimes, well, you know. You mention software purchase, but Tamiika Willams got away with that. She threw other people under the bus and the person doing the report just bought right in. She was responsible for ensuring purchases are done correctly and she has a history of breaking things down for purchase. She was also responsible for the billing department for the many years where the money was not being collected and was responsible for the purchase of the billing software that really put that account over so much money. EMS was not involved in either of those but somehow she was able to blame people who had left and keep her job. Hey Tamika lying under sworn testimony is a crime I believe. The whole thing is a mess.
7:17, I wondered if she was intoxicated too. After reading her answers I also wondered how she made it through med school. Jana Still seemed more with it than her.
1022
I meant on the call for medical direction on the person at the railroad incident, like perhaps she didn't want to be bothered and lashed out later. She sure seemed to have singled him out.
I read all the depositions, scanned over Still's because it seemed very repetitive. I will say JJ, badgers them until he gets the statement he is looking for. I wouldn't want to be on the receiving end of that but I think it paints a clear picture the QA/QC board was biased and the paramedic was not treated fairly. J Still minced words over Title VI but white people have rights too. Things need to be applied equally and even as I think May said in the shade, even for a "red headed stepchild". How would he react if someone called some of his constituents burr headed bastards? Talk about equality and fairness and civil rights, goes both ways.
Talk about good ole boys -- Underhill-- Why does Underhill defend all this and post on his page he was at Florabama with Edler? Had the GOFund me on his page, and attended the first hearing of Edler vs Pino?
Boy, you all sure had a regular Cassanova .. hope he is doing alright at the sheriff office, or are they still running a sex shop?
Make love not war..? Yuck
Cute, J. Still has on record she had to go "tinkle." UhHuh.
It's great you now have a separate board for medical direction and not one made up of friends with benefits.
There are fraternization and social media policies in place for a reason.
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