GCFD4 Chief on admin leave, under investigation for malfeasance
NANCE BESTON | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 1 year, 3 months AGO
Grant County Fire District 4 Fire Chief Kevin Whitaker has been placed on unpaid administrative leave while an investigation conducted by the Grant County Sheriff’s Office into maleficence occurs. No further information is available until the investigator releases a report and recommendations of charges to the prosecutor's office.
NANCE BESTON/COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD
WARDEN — Grant County Fire District 4 Fire Chief Kevin Whitaker has been placed on unpaid administrative leave. Grant County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Kyle Foreman confirmed there is an ongoing investigation for malfeasance through GCSO which began in late November.
“The Grant County Sheriff's Office is conducting an investigation into a complaint regarding malfeasance and while the investigation is underway, we would not be able to release any information,” Foreman said.
The Grant County Fire District 4 Board of Commissioners told Acting Chief Dan Bates they would not be issuing a statement in regard to the matter.
“I was hoping we would meet with the (Grant County Fire District 4 Board of) commissioners at the regular meeting here,” Bates said. “I requested a statement. We were going to put one together and then on the advice of their attorney, he advised not to release one.”
Whitaker began at the volunteer fire department around 2008, according to Bates. The role of chief is the only paid position in the station and the department is currently looking for his replacement.
“I've definitely not been promoted,” Bates said. “I'm still just the Assistant Chief, so I'm just the next highest-ranking officer. The command falls to me until they replace somebody else. But I already have a full-time job. I'm not looking for another one.”
Foreman said once the investigator submits his report any needed recommendations of charges to the prosecutor's office and becomes public record in Washington more information can be shared with the public.
Correction: Kevin Whitaker is the chief under investigation. Randy Wiggins is not being investigated.
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