CBS 19 - The Eye of East Texas News - County avoids lawsuit, give secretary nine months' pay

County avoids lawsuit, give secretary nine months' pay

by Michele Reese

JACKSONVILLE, TX (KYTX) - She accused a Cherokee County DPS officer of improper sexual conduct - now, the former secretary is the one on paid administrative leave. CBS 19's Michele Reese explains why your tax dollars are paying for her nine months of paid leave.

The decision to eliminate Joanna Miles' position was made just 2 weeks after DPS trooper Thomas Bledsoe was acquitted on sexual misconduct charges.

Miles, who worked as secretary in the DPS office in Jacksonville, filed those charges, claiming Trooper Bledsoe exposed himself to her.

But even though the criminal case is over, the former secretary tells CBS 19 civil litigation is pending.

Cherokee County attorney Robert Davis wants to make sure the county is not involved in any lawsuit.

"The county was in an awkward position. DPS told her to go home. The county funds the position...and the county does not want to get caught up in anything with DPS and this lady."

To do that, Davis advised County Commissioners to give Miles nine months paid leave. In turn, she would sign an agreement, that would prevent her from suing the county and any of its employees.

"People who say nine months pay, that's excessive..what do you say to that?" we asked Davis. He replied, "Think of the cost of a lawsuit. [It would] be a whole lot more."

Cherokee County Commissioner Katherine Pinotti says her vote wasn't just about preventing litigation, it was about helping a fellow county employee.

"It did seem like a long time, but considering the circumstances - jobs are hard to come by and we didn't know how long it would take."

Miles says she is looking for work, and thanks the county for its support.

The secretary position paid $19,600 a year. Davis says a lawsuit could have cost the county upwards of $150,000.