In a dramatic turn of events, Kemmerer Senior Center Executive Director Jen Ogle resigned following a closed-door executive session held by the center’s board on Monday, Dec. 2. The meeting concluded with Ogle being escorted off the property by a board member, raising questions and sparking speculation among the community.

Board member Michelle Muir confirmed the resignation but remained tight-lipped about the reasons behind it, citing the confidential nature of the executive session.

“The information we have been told is that she has resigned,” Muir told the Gazette. She further emphasized that no official investigation is currently underway to her knowledge.

“It was done in executive session, so there is no information that we will give publicly on the situation,” she said.

When pressed about rumors of financial discrepancies, Muir deferred to the board’s attorney and reiterated, “It is pure speculation right now.”

Despite Muir’s reassurances, other board members hinted at deeper issues. Robert Bowen, Kemmerer’s mayor-elect and a member of the senior center board, acknowledged that financial concerns had been brought to the board’s attention by members of the public.

“There is money missing. That was brought up in open meeting,” Bowen said, though the exact amount remains unknown. “That needs to be more thoroughly investigated. We are not accusing anyone of stealing it, but there is money unaccounted for.” 

Bowen detailed discrepancies in financial records and payroll, including employees logging hours beyond the center’s operational schedule.

“[Ogle] was claiming overtime while also working other jobs,” Bowen said. “Those are things that stand right out when you see the financials.”

Although the board has only reviewed a portion of the financial records so far, according to Bowen, a preliminary review of the center’s finances revealed uncollected or missing funds.

“It may not have been stolen, but it was never collected,” he said.

Board member Bill Price echoed Muir’s sentiment, expressing a desire to move forward. Price also emphasized the board’s commitment to transparency.

“I would not stand for anybody stealing money from senior citizens,” he stated, adding that the new board’s focus is on improving the center for its patrons.

Bowen suggested, however, that further scrutiny might be warranted. He said the installation of three new board members, including himself, prompted a swift review of the center’s operations.

“After just a few days of having the new board, we had collected enough information to call an executive session that led to Ogle’s resignation,” Bowen said.

Adding to the intrigue, Ogle allegedly persuaded a senior Kemmerer resident, Don Jauregui, whose daughter works at the senior center, to co-sign a mortgage with her. While this allegation has not been officially linked to her resignation, it has fueled community speculation about potential conflicts of interest.

The Gazette requested financial records from the Kemmerer Senior Center but did not receive them by press time.

The board has already hired a new executive director, Christy Killian, but the community is left grappling with lingering concerns about the center’s finances.