East Cleveland law director apologizes for missing funds for new fire truck

EAST CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – East Cleveland Law Director Willa Hemmons took responsibility for the disappearance of nearly $1 million earmarked for a new fire truck Saturday in a statement.

RELATED: East Cleveland council accuses mayor of allegedly embezzling money intended for new fire truck

Hemmons explained that the funds were used to pay back pay to firefighters who were ordered by the court after the city lost a lawsuit over the issue in 2021.

According to Hemmons' statement, the city paid firefighters $1.3 million in back pay last year and the remaining $300,000 will be paid in July.

Last May, the East Cleveland City Council asked Mayor Brandon King for answers about nearly $1 million missing from the city's general fund that was supposed to be used for a new fire truck and ambulance .

19 News previously reported that in January 2022, council passed a resolution approving the purchase of a fire truck and ambulance for which $679,554 was set aside for the purchase.

The council later said it needed an additional $300,000 for the purchase.

City Council President Antwon Billings and other City Council leaders singled out King last May, but on Saturday, Hemmons said, “I think it's unfair of me to continue to hide behind the mayor's coattails.”

Even though someone has taken responsibility, the reality persists.

The fire truck and ambulance are still parked at Atlantic Emergency Solutions in Macedonia as the company demands payment.

“It’s a state of emergency. Our ladder truck is not currently working and the fire truck has no lights. It endangers the city, it endangers the fires, and it endangers those in the back of the vehicle. Everything is at risk and that’s where we as a government are mismanaging our funds,” Billings told 19 News.

Billings said the mayor continually avoids answering council questions.

King declined to speak with our staff in May, but we have requested comment and are awaiting a response.

Dr. Patricia Blochowiak, East Cleveland at-large council member, said the community's safety is at risk: “This could lead to a very serious problem.” »

Billing said some emergency medical services rely on vans for transportation to hospitals.

And in an email to King from Atlantic Emergency Solutions lawyers on Friday, they demanded payment of $694,999.20 by July 5.

The email also states that late payments are subject to a finance charge of $10,424.99 per month.

This would be an additional fee of $41,699.96 for four months of late payments.

The email stated that they could waive shipping charges if payment was made by July 5th.

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