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Volume 54, No. 4
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CHESTERLAND NEWS Wednesday, July 6, 2022
Your Community Newspaper Since 1967
Trustees Settle with Asst. Fire Chief Moleterno Exonerated of Wrongdoing, Paid $50,000 township for 34 years, including the last 15 as assistant fire chief — threatened to pursue state and fedChester Township Trustees eral claims of sex discrimination, have settled charges Assistant Fire sex harassment, retaliation and vioChief Karen Moleterno filed with lation of Ohio’s Open Meetings Act, the Ohio Civil Rights according to a Sept. 24, Commission against the 2021 letter her attorney, township and Clemans, Jack E. Moran, of CleveNelson & Associates. land-based McCarthy Trustees had hired Lebit Crystal & Liffman the Akron-based human Co., LPA, sent to then resource management trustees Walter “Skip” and consulting firm to Claypool, Joseph Mazinvestigate whether or Moleterno zurco and Ken Radtke not any member of the Jr., and Clemans Nelson Chester Township Fire Department Vice President Michael Esposito. violated state laws governing the She eventually filed charges department. with the Ohio Civil Rights ComMoleterno — who served the mission Cleveland Regional Office
By John Karlovec john@karlovecmedia.com
Back to School Help Available Registrations are now being accepted for Help Me Learn Day, a school supply distribution program for low-income families sponsored by Geauga County Job and Family services. The 16th annual Help Me Learn Day will be held Aug. 3 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Morning Star Friends Church, 12555 Ravenna Road in Chardon. Pre-registration is required to participate. Identification in the form of a food stamp card, Medicaid card or photo ID is required. Free clothing, student haircuts and eye exams will also be provided compliments of Morning Star Friends Church, Marci’s Hair on the Square and Chardon/Chesterland Family Eye Care. For more information or to register by July 31, call 440-285-9141, ext. 1263.
alleging Chester Township and Clemans Nelson’s conduct constituted sex discrimination and harassment against her. Trustees had placed Moleterno on paid administrative leave on July 16, 2021, following months of investigation and interviews of township employees, but reinstated her effective Aug. 31, 2021, with dramatically altered job responsibilities, Moran said. “It was my office’s honor to represent Assistant Chief Moleterno and I am glad that Karen has been able to reach a resolution with the township that both recognizes her past service and also allows her to set aside distractions and focus on her passion — public service,” Mo-
ran told the Chesterland News. Trustee Ken Radtke confirmed Friday afternoon the township had executed a settlement agreement with Moleterno, but declined further comment. According to the terms of the release and settlement agreement, announced at the June 30 trustees meeting, Moleterno will be paid $50,000 in the form of checks made payable as follows: $13,000 to Moleterno’s attorneys; $10,000 to Moleterno for alleged economic damages, paid as W-2 wages; and $27,000 to Moleterno for alleged non-economic wages, reported on Form 1099. Trustees also agreed to provide a neutral letter of reference stating Moleterno was employed with the See Settlement • Page 4
INSIDE
Former VP of Discovery Tours Pleads Guilty to Fraud, Money Laundering Page 7
Obituaries Page 9
Classifieds Page 11
Local Girl Scouts Earn Silver Award
SUBMITTED
Members of Girl Scout Cadette Troop 70823 of West Geauga Middle School have been working hard on achieving their Silver Award. The scouts have been cleaning up and planting in the yards of seniors within the area. Special thanks goes to West Geauga Kiwanis, Home Depot of Highland Heights and Inspeyered Tree Service for their generous donations and help making the project happen.
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