A recent appeal on the payment of unemployment benefits to a former Carroll County employee has been decided in favor of the county. General Assistance Director and regional Social Worker, Rosemarie Stotts, was placed on administrative leave on April 10, 2020 as an investigation was opened on two incidents involving one client. In the first instance, the county claimed Stotts overstepped her bounds as a social worker in the acceptance of cash that she held and distributed to a client at their request. The county did not pursue criminal charges against Stotts, but deemed the actions a “mishandling of monies in connection with her job duties.” In addition, while the client still had cash available, Stotts approved emergency assistance funds for the purchase of furnishings as the client moved from a volatile personal situation. The purpose of this fund is to assist low-income individuals with emergency needs related to food, rent, shelter, transportation, medical attention, etc. as they wait for state and/or federal assistance. Administrative Law Judge, Jennifer L. Beckman, presided at the late July hearing and determined Stotts had knowledge of other funds available to the client and the allocation did not meet the stipulations of the ordinance. She said Stotts had shown “more than simple negligence or an error in judgment or discretion. Rather the serious nature of her handling both county funds and choosing to hold $6,000 cash in her office for a client reflect deliberate, intentional choices.” In addition, Beckman said in light of Stotts’ experience and her knowledge of the client’s available funds, “she knew or should have known that approving general assistance funds to this client was not appropriate.” The county’s investigation resulted in the end of Stotts’ more than 13 years in the position when she quit in lieu of termination effective May 13. Stotts filed for and began receiving unemployment benefits May 17, totaling more than $3,700 from that time to the time of the appeal hearing. She also filed for and received the $600 weekly federal unemployment insurance benefits through Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) totaling more than $4,000. Beckman said Stotts is not eligible for state unemployment benefits. The ruling states not only had she resigned, but if she had not done so, she would have been discharged for job-related misconduct that would also disqualify her from unemployment benefits. Beckman found that Stotts was not only ineligible for unemployment, but is required to pay back the state benefits received and the federal compensation, unless she applies and is approved for the FPUC program again. At this time, Stotts has not responded to a request for comment from Carroll Broadcasting.
