Committee member alleges former chief judicial commissioner is interfering with Wilson County office

A committee member raised an allegation that the previous chief judicial commissioner has been "interfering with the office," including making calls that the member described as threats about who the office is employing, and said the former chief indicated she planned to return to work in September.

The committee member told colleagues that the county had signed an agreement — signed by Kiana, the member, and the mayor — placing the former chief on medical leave through Feb. 11, 2025. The member also said the former director was a defendant in two lawsuits that were expected to go to trial next year. The member said they had spoken with Stacey Swindell about the issue and brought the matter to the committee to alert members and limit potential disruption.

Other members responded that staff and commissioners have no obligation to maintain contact with the former director and that any questions about benefits or the agreement should be handled by Kiana, who manages those matters for the office. No formal disciplinary action or vote on the allegation was recorded in the transcript; the allegation remained unresolved at the end of the meeting.

The committee did not produce supporting documentation in the transcript for the alleged threats or the exact terms of the signed agreement beyond the dates the member cited. The committee noted there have already been steps taken to "minimize some of the things that can be done" regarding interference but did not detail those steps at the meeting. The committee adjourned after discussing next procedural items.