The Termination and Alleged Misconduct
The Village of Franklin has fired the Village Treasurer in what appears to be a calculated move to shield the individual actually responsible for the theft of $989,990.
While the council labeled this an “at-will” firing, the timing suggests otherwise. HR professional Abby Gates (owner of Sproutwise) and attorneys David Goldberg and Angelina Sulaka all voted in favor of the termination. Trustee Daniel Ferris was the sole dissenting voice, standing out as the only member to question the logic and timing of this decision.
Legal Implications
The council’s actions likely cross several legal boundaries:
- Whistleblower Retaliation: Firing an employee for participating in an investigation is a violation of federal law. The “at-will” designation does not grant the Village immunity from wrongful termination claims in this context.
- Defamation and Liability: By firing the Treasurer immediately following the discovery of the missing funds, the Village has effectively cast her as the guilty party. This creates significant grounds for a slander and libel lawsuit.
Lack of Transparency
The Village’s attempts to manage the narrative through shady tactics—such as cutting the video feed during open session and only releasing summary minutes devoid of detail—only reinforce the appearance of a cover-up. Actively hiding the truth from residents increases the Village’s exposure to a defamation suit, with potential liabilities easily exceeding six figures.
Treasurer Comments
Franklin Villagers 