SIMPSONVILLE, S.C. (WYFF) - An
Upstate police chief who was fired last week says he lost his job
because he wanted to discipline his assistant chief because of an
alleged romantic relationship she had with the fire chief.
Simpsonville Police Chief Keith Grounsell was fired last Friday.
On
Monday, Mayor Perry Eichor confirmed that Simpsonville Assistant Police
Chief Colleen O'Neil and Fire Chief Wesley Williams have been
suspended.
Eichor
would not elaborate on what led to the firing or the suspensions, but
Grounsell said it is all connection to the alleged affair.
The
former police chief says he gave City Administrator Russ Hawes a
50-page packet of alleged violations and insubordinations by O'Neil.
Grounsell says, "He blew me off."
The
most serious infraction, according to Grounsell, was an inappropriate
relationship between O'Neil and Williams, one that he says was
considered "a violation of the romantic relationship policy"
Grounsell said there is photographic evidence of the alleged relationship.
The
official word from the city is that Grounsell was fired after his
performance was reviewed and officials found he wasn't a good fit.
Grounsell, who was hired in September, was fired after a 5-2 vote by city council at a special meeting on Friday.
Grounsell
said after he was hired he was required to attend a six-week program in
Columbia to get re-certified in law enforcement training because his
current credentials were about to expire. Grounsell said he received his
certification Dec. 21.
Grounsell says he was never given a written reprimand or performance review.
Grounsell
said he was told he was let go because he failed to follow probationary
standards, but he said when asked the mayor what rules he had violated,
Eichor would not tell him.
Grounsell
said he thinks he was fired because he was told by city management to
overlook violations by O'Neil and he refused to do so.
The council appointed Lt. Steve Moore as acting chief.
Eichor said the City Council will meet in executive session to discuss the situation Tuesday evening.
In the meantime, Grounsell filed a wrongful termination grievance at City Hall on Monday.
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Assistant Chief Colleen O’Neil and Fire Chief Wesley Williams (Source: WYFF)
