The Kentucky Community and Technical College System is made up of 16 colleges across Kentucky. Its headquarters, above, is in Versailles. (KCTCS photo)
A Franklin Circuit Court judge has denied the Kentucky Community and Technical College System’s motion to dismiss a whistleblower lawsuit filed by a former chief of staff.
The two-year college system is facing allegations of “waste, mismanagement, and violations of the laws of the Commonwealth of Kentucky” from Hannah Rivera, who worked in many capacities at KCTCS over a decade including as chief of staff. Rivera is suing KCTCS for violating the Kentucky Whistleblower Act and for wrongful termination, as she alleges she faced retaliation for reporting issues.
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Judge Thomas Wingate denied a motion from KCTCS to dismiss the case Monday. In his order, Wingate wrote that he “cannot dismiss this matter at this premature stage” and directed Rivera and KCTCS to begin the discovery process as there is a “clear factual dispute” between the parties.
Whistleblower suit alleges waste, mismanagement, illegality in KY’s community college system
KCTCS previously refuted Rivera’s claims in a statement to the Kentucky Lantern.
Rivera declined to comment on Wingate’s order. Blair Hess, a spokesperson for KCTCS, said in an email the college system continues to refute Rivera’s claims, “including breach of contract and retaliation.”
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