Woman’s firing ruled appropriate

Friday, May 1, 1998 | 10:24 a.m.

State Hearing Officer John Graves Jr. said Nicole Edwards "ran amok ... unchecked and unchallenged for months, treating the clients well or badly as her temper dictated."

Edwards, who had been on the job for about 18 months, denied she mistreated the patients and suggested those who testified against her were jealous. But Graves said the employees and former employees who worked with Edwards, presented more credible testimony.

Graves said the state must share part of the blame. "Circumstances (of which the state should have been aware) contributed to client abuse," he said. "More seasoned (and trustworthy) employees were transferred out of the unit, leaving employee (Edwards) as a senior staffer.

"Her youth and lack of experience combined with no senior staff or able, direct supervisor to restrain her temper, left her unchecked to batter and otherwise mistreat the clients."

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