A hearing has been set in the sought-removal of a Washington Court House City Councilwoman.
A subpoena was served on Wednesday by the Fayette County Sheriff to Kendra Redd-Hernandez, who was elected in November 2015, to appear on Thursday, October 24 in front of Judge David B. Bender. The proceedings are as a result of a lawsuit filed by elector Derek Myers; Myers is the interim editor-in-chief to the Guardian.
At the hearing, Redd-Hernandez will have to appear. During the proceeding, it is expected the Judge will let the councilwoman know that she is entitled to legal counsel and will set a trial date. According to state statute, the trial must occur within ten days of the hearing.
The complaint, filed pursuant to Ohio Revised Code 733.72, was filed Monday morning against Redd-Hernandez alleging a host of crimes, including conflict of interest, violations of state law, violations of city code, and violations of the city’s charter. The complaint is a separate action than the affidavit filed with the Court of Common Pleas last week and will have no bearing on the actions in that case.
The basis of the complaint filed this morning stems from a September 3, 2019 piece of paper that Washington Court House City Manager Joe Denen signed that allowed one of his bosses, councilwoman Redd-Hernandez, to take out more than $80,000 from a local bank in an effort to grow her business and save money on a previous loan.
“City officials have said in the press that no wrongdoing has been done, but the facts show otherwise,” Myers said. “It is not by coincidence that those who assisted the councilwoman in abusing her elected position are coming to her rescue. The fact is: there was not a 2006 subordination agreement; the Fayette County Recorder, nor even the city officials, themselves, who allege such a document exists, can produce a copy.”
Within another ten days of her appearance, Redd-Hernandez will be put on trial to answer to the charges.
“It is a quasi-criminal proceeding,” Myers said Monday. “What this means is, it is handled just like she is on trial for high-crimes, however, she is not entitled to a time waiver and will not be sent to jail, if convicted.”
The city law director’s office must appear on behalf of Myers and prosecute Redd-Hernandez. If found guilty of any of the charges alleged, the councilwoman who was elected in 2015 will be removed from office.
