Simpsonville Fire Chief, Assistant Police Chief Suspended

As supporters of fired Simpsonville Police Chief Keith Grounsell get ready to rally in his support at Tuesday's City Council meeting, the city on Monday said it has suspended two more key city employees.

City Administrator Russ Hawes said the city had suspended indefinitely Fire Chief Wesley Williams and Assistant Police Chief Colleen O'Neil, Fox Carolina reported. Williams and O'Neil could not be immediately reached for comment.

Hawes declined comment on the suspensions, citing them as personnel matters.

It was unclear if the suspensions are connected to the Grounsell firing, though O'Neill has been cited by Grounsell as a primary reason he was fired by the Council. , have been in conflict ever since, he said.

In a termination document, the city also noted that conflicts between the two played a key role in Grounsell's dismissal. Grounsell was fired by Council in a 5-2 vote on Dec. 28. 

The termination document also noted that O'Neil had recently filed an EEOC complaint.

Meantime, Capt. Johnny Sherbert has been tapped as the city's acting fire chief, and Lt. Steve Moore as acting police chief. The issue over O'Neil and Williams apparently will be discussed in executive session at Tuesday's Council meeting, which lists a "personnel issue" for the police and fire departments.

Stay tuned to Patch as more details become available.