CRESTLINE — The following is a statement by Adam Stone, attorney and legal counsel for Crestline Police Chief Joseph Butler, on Butler’s employment with the Village of Crestline.
“This morning, November 19, 2018, Crestline Village Police Chief, Joseph Butler resigned his position with the village.
After nearly two decades with the Village of Crestline during which his personnel file was without blemish, Chief Butler felt that the village administration had put him in the sad and unfortunate position that he must involuntarily resign effective immediately in an attempt to salvage the dignity and respect of his position and village’s police department.
Prior to hiring The Stone Law Firm, Ltd., Chief Butler found his work environment to be so hostile that he filed a formal complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission alleging, specifically, Title VII retaliation from former Crestline Village Mayor, Allen Moore.
It was Chief Butler that brought Mayor Moore’s racist and prejudiced comments to the public light after his body camera picked up the former mayor using the “n” word multiple times in a conversation. From that point forward, Chief Butler – for the first time in his career – has become the subject of sudden, inexplicable and retaliatory attempts at disciplinary action ultimately aimed at his termination.
Instead of putting his family and the village of Crestline through further turmoil and controversy, Chief Butler feels strongly that his involuntary resignation is the right thing to do. In stepping away from this position, Chief Butler stated:
‘I am hurt that I am in this position today. I wanted to spend my career here with the people of Crestline. They have been good to me, and I have tried to serve them honorably. Sadly, my attempts to do the right thing as it pertains to former Mayor Moore’s inappropriate statements have made me the target of unwarranted scrutiny. The village simply does not need any further controversy. My family and I do not need this controversy. Thank you to the people of Crestline for allowing me to serve you for the past 18 years. It has been the honor of my life to work for you.’”
The following is the letter written by Butler to the Village of Crestline administration and residents:
Crestline Village Council and administrators served Butler with a nine-page document Oct. 29, outlining the complaints made against him.
Village officials made the following statement in a release:
Butler was on paid administrative leave since Aug. 30.
Butler originally was to have a hearing in front of council Monday, Nov. 19 at 6:30 p.m. Crestline Village Council still meets this evening at 6:30 p.m.