After losing job, former Beaufort County leader asks council to remove administrator
A day after losing his job, former Beaufort County Deputy Administrator Chris Inglese asked council members to remove Administrator Ashley Jacobs from her job, hoping to get his back.
In an email sent to all 11 council members Thursday evening, Inglese, who had served as second in command to Jacobs since October, pleaded with the members to show his former boss the door.
“Please end this painful chapter,” the email, obtained by The Island Packet & Beaufort Gazette, read. “Vote to remove Ms. Jacobs immediately and please, please restore me to the position of Deputy Administrator so that I may continue to serve this wonderful community.”
Jacobs was hired by council in April 2019 in the wake of a long, controversial search following the retirement of longtime Administrator Gary Kubic.
Inglese had worked for the county since 2017. Before that, he worked as an attorney in private practice in Charleston and served as a planner for the City of Charleston for nine years, according to his Linkedin profile. Since Wednesday, he has stated that he was fired by Jacobs. The county says he resigned.
Five council members — York Glover, Chris Hervochon, Alice Howard, Stu Rodman and Paul Sommerville — confirmed they received the email but declined to comment. Chairman Joe Passiment and council members Mark Lawson, Larry McElynn and Gerald Dawson did not return a call seeking comment Friday.
Council member Mike Covert said he was unaware of any plans to remove Jacobs. Asked if he would vote to remove her, he responded “no.”
Council member Brian Flewelling said he had not read the email, but said he did not plan to remove Jacobs.
“I have every bit of confidence in our administrator Ashley Jacobs, and I don’t see any problem with everything she’s done,” he said. “I will disregard that advice. I wish Chris the best of luck, and I’m sure he will land on his feet.”
In the email, Inglese relayed what he says happened on Wednesday when he lost his job.
He said he was “randomly summoned” by Jacobs to the county’s Human Resources office, where he was told, “’things just aren’t working out for you in this position’ with no further explanation.”
“I did not quit. I did not resign. I was fired,” the email said. “I was in shock and am still totally devastated.”
Inglese’s email cites an “an atmosphere of fear among employees,” where he “and others, have been walking on eggshells and fearful for my job.”
The email did not give examples of Inglese’s claims but offered to “provide more details if needed or upon request.”
“Others have been victim to the abusive and hostile treatment,” the email said. “It has been a rough 3 months.”
In the email, Inglese says he became fearful for his job after council forced Stu Rodman to resign as chairman in March.
“If not for my sake, please remove her to end the damage being done and prevent others from the pain I am feeling,” the email says.
Contacted Friday about the email, Jacobs declined comment.
This story was originally published June 6, 2020 at 6:00 AM.
