Port Clinton, OH – Today, by unanimous vote, the City of Port Clinton, Ohio's civil-service commission, former fire chief Kent Johnson's appeal of his firing. The firing was prompted by an outside investigator's findings of financial impropriety and sexual harassment by Johnson. Both findings related to former firefighter/EMT Rebekah Huskey's allegations that Johnson sexually harassed her.

Rebekah Huskey in happier days as a firefighter/EMT and former Port Clinton Fire Chief Kent Johnson

It took only 40 minutes of closing arguments by both sides, discussion, and deliberations for the commission to accept a hearing officer's recommendation to affirm Johnson's firing. This followed proceedings over the course of months, voluminous written submissions, and testimony, including from Ms. Huskey and Johnson himself.

Explaining his decision, Commissioner Thomas Heim blasted Johnson, saying Johnson was "infatuated" with Ms. Huskey. The commissioner also noted that, in a meeting with Law Director Dina Shenker and Tracy Colston, Johnson admitted sending Ms. Huskey inappropriate text messages. Johnson secretly recorded that meeting.

Audio and transcript of Jun 6, 2023 meeting in which then Port Clinton Fire Chief Kent Johnson was placed on administrative leave and made various admissions

The commissioner said that from that moment forward, Johnson was "guilty"—and all Johnson's maneuvers since that point were a "waste of time."

As for Johnson's financial actions regarding city funds, the commissioner expressed frustration "as a taxpayer" with Johnson's conduct.

In her closing statement to the commission, city law director Dina Shenker praised Ms. Huskey's courage in reporting the sexual harassment and said "no woman" should have to endure what Ms. Huskey experienced.

Shenker scoffed at the arguments of Johnson's counsel that Johnson somehow didn't know the consequences of his actions. Shenker pointed out that termination up-to firing is spelled out both in city policies and the predisciplinary notice Johnson was provided before he was fired. And it's quoted in his own court filings.

Chandra Law has submitted to the city a public-records request for the audio of the commission meeting and will post it here when it is available.

The commission's decision follows the firing of former commission chairman Carl Koebel following allegations of impropriety and bias regarding the case.

It also follows an Ottawa County grand jury's criminal indictment of Johnson including on charges of gross sexual imposition, voyeurism, and other crimes against Ms. Huskey, and theft in office against the city.

The city never fully investigated Ms. Huskey's most serious allegations about Johnson serially sexually assaulting and demoting her, despite Johnson's admitting in the June 6, 2023 meeting that he had "grabbed her by the face" and kissed her. The city thus left Ms. Huskey exposed to the retaliation that followed from Johnson's devoted cult-of-personality followers in the fire department.

Ms. Huskey has a federal civil-rights lawsuit pending against Johnson and the city.

Subodh Chandra, Huskey’s lead counsel, said, “Today was a long-delayed good step in Ms. Huskey's quest for justice. It's long past time for the city to make things right with Ms. Huskey. Her dream to continue her life serving as a firefigher/EMT was shattered.”

“We welcome contact from anyone who has information that would help Ms. Huskey in her quest for justice,” Chandra added.

Huskey is represented by Chandra Law Firm civil-rights lawyers Subodh Chandra, Donald P. Screen, and Courtney Bow.

The civil case, Rebekah Huskey v. City of Port Clinton, et al., Case No. 3:23-cv-01910, is pending in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio Western Division. The third amended and supplemental complaint, detailing the pending allegations, may be found here.

Chandra Law is experienced obtaining justice for victims of sex/gender discrimination including sexual harassment, employment discrimination, and employment retaliation. We also secure constitutional rights like those at issue here.

And the firm helped pioneer work in holding individuals and companies accountable for civil liability for criminal acts, securing the two leading Supreme Court of Ohio decisions favorable to crime victims on the topic.

If you think that your civil rights have been violated, you may contact us to discuss your options.

At Chandra Law, your case is our cause.®