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Auditor’s office employee appeals firing

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By Bridgette Outten, Staff Writer Updated 4:47 PM Thursday, November 19, 2009

SPRINGFIELD — A former employee of the Clark County Auditor’s Office has filed an appeal with a state board challenging her termination, officials confirmed Wednesday, Nov. 18.

Aimee Belanger-Haas, former Geographic Information System director, was fired Nov. 2 and appealed to the State Personnel Board of Review the same day.

Belanger-Haas, who has been an employee of the auditor’s office since 2004, said she was “totally shocked” by the firing.

“It was out of the blue,” she said.

Meanwhile, Auditor George Sodders can’t comment on the issue because of pending litigation, said Tanya Schilling, public information director.

Schilling directed all questions to Clark County Assistant Prosecutor Lisa Fannin, who was not immediately available for comment Wednesday.

Belanger-Haas was fired for insubordination, neglect of duty and violation of county policy, according to a letter in her personnel file obtained by the News-Sun through a public records request. The letter did not elaborate on the allegations.

Before the termination, Belanger-Haas had been placed on paid administrative leave Oct. 23.

Belanger-Haas’ file did not contain any written reprimands, evaluations or demotions, and she said she never received anything negative verbally before being placed on administrative leave.

“I’d really like to know why,” she said.

It’s the second time in two years that Sodders is facing a state appeal for personnel matters.

Lynn Marshall, former auditor’s office administrator, appealed a demotion to a state review board in February 2008. Marshall dropped the appeal and resigned in June 2008 after he and the auditor reached an agreement where Marshall repaid the county $1,853 for bogus expenses.

Marshall had publicly criticized Sodders’ handling of county’s $1.2 million 2007 revaluation that resulted in inconsistencies in property values.

Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0374  or boutten@coxohio.com.

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