CHESTERFIELD, Ind. — Arbitration alone will determine whether two former Chesterfield employees implicated in the misappropriation of public funds will return to work.
John Brooke, a Muncie attorney representing fired Chesterfield maintenance workers Christopher and James Walters, said Tuesday that an arbitrator ordered Nov. 18 that the brothers return to their jobs and receive back pay.
But attorney Bill Kreegar, representing the town of Chesterfield, said the decision was made by a panel of union officials and the matter has not yet gone to arbitration.
“What happened on Nov. 18 was a joint-grievance committee made up entirely of union representatives,” Kreegar said. “By a split vote, they ruled in favor of Chris and James Walters, but the joint-grievance committee did not even look at the facts of the case.”
In October, the State Board of Accounts filed a 33-page audit naming the Walters brothers among five town employees who allegedly defrauded Chesterfield of more than $250,000.
The audit alleged that the brothers accepted $37,600 for false claims for work. No criminal charges have been filed but the Indiana Attorney General’s office filed a civil suit against the brothers, former clerk-treasurer Chris Parrish, former town marshal James Kimm and former part-time police officer Joseph Brown seeking reimbursement.
The Walters brothers were fired Sept. 24 and challenged their termination under a collective bargaining agreement between the Teamsters union and the town of Chesterfield, Brooke said.
“They should have been back at work on the 19th of November,” Brooke said. “The brothers would prefer that the town do this voluntarily and abide by the contract, but we haven’t ruled out litigation.”
Kreegar said the ruling was just the third step in the union grievance process. Both the town and union must agree upon an arbitrator, Kreegar said, but there’s no telling when an arbitration may actually occur since the union must make the request.
Christopher and James Walters worked for the town for more than 10 years. Brooke said payroll records that would clear them of wrongdoing were lost and never reached the State Board of Accounts.
“Christopher and James worked on projects as directed by Chris Parrish,” Brooke said. “They turned in time records that would have shown the hours and locations that they worked on forms he created. Parrish was, in essence, their supervisor.”
Brooke described the projects as “very visible, public work.”
Contact Justin Schneider: 640-4809, justin.schneider@heraldbulletin.com
Breaking News
Ex-Chesterfield workers not back to work, despite ruling
Arbitration hearing will determine fate of Walters brothers
- Breaking News
-
-
LA school in sex abuse scandal reopens
Children returned Thursday to an elementary school where the entire staff was replaced after the arrests of two former teachers on charges of committing lewd acts with students in class.
-
Official: States get No Child Left Behind waiver
President Barack Obama on Thursday will free 10 states from the strict and sweeping requirements of the No Child Left Behind law, giving leeway to states that promise to improve how they prepare and evaluate students, The Associated Press has learned.
-
Sources: Pentagon rules shift on women in combat
Pentagon rules are catching up a bit with reality after a decade when women in the U.S. military have served, fought and died on the battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan.
-
Markets buoyed by news of Greek debt deal
Stock markets extended gains and the euro struck a two-month high against the dollar Thursday after the Greek Prime Minister's office said a deal has been struck with coalition parties on new cuts that are necessary for the country to get crucial bailout funds.
-
Indiana GOP governor hopeful lacks enough signatures
Republican candidate for governor Jim Wallace is fighting to make it on the ballot after election officials said Wednesday he came up short in his effort.
-
Anderson bank robbery case turned over to FBI
An investigation into the robbery of an Anderson bank Tuesday was officially turned over to the FBI on Wednesday.
-
German man wins Empire State Building race again
A German runner has won an annual race up 86 flights of stairs at the Empire State Building for a record seventh straight time.
-
Santorum files for Indiana ballot despite dispute
Republican presidential contender Rick Santorum filed Wednesday to get on Indiana's primary ballot even though he has not been certified by local election officials.
-
Sarkozy advises against military strike on Iran
French President Nicolas Sarkozy put his reputation as a stalwart friend of Israel on the line Wednesday, warning that military action was no way to deal with nuclear-minded Iran at a dinner hosted by France's main Jewish group.
-
GOP vows to reverse Obama birth control policy
Republicans vowed Wednesday to reverse President Barack Obama's new policy on birth control, lambasting the rule that religious schools and hospitals must provide contraceptive coverage for their employees as an "unambiguous attack on religious freedom in our country."
- More Breaking News Headlines
-
LA school in sex abuse scandal reopens
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Video of Ga. Man Who Killed Girl Released
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
Nevada Highway Patrol, City Settle Beating Case
Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
