KEA repeals new hire

The Kootenai Environmental Alliance's new executive director didn't last after allegations of objectionable conduct were reported by The Press.

Following a KEA media release regarding the hire of Jordan Richmond last week, The Press discovered an investigation from 2016 by the Marion County Public Schools regarding an inappropriate relationship between Richmond and a 16-year-old student. Teachers and students at West Port High School in Marion County, Fla., where Richmond was formerly a drama teacher, sparked the investigation after expressing their concerns with his conduct.

The investigation was rediscovered in 2019 when Richmond was briefly hired as the Chief Girl Experience and Outdoor Programming Officer for the Girl Scouts of Gateway Council's children's camp owned by Alachua County, Flori.

On the same day The Press' article was published, Friday, the KEA board of directors unanimously voted to rescind Richmond's offer of employment in a special meeting.

"This past week, the KEA board received additional information that made it impossible for us to employ Mr. Richmond as a leader for the Kootenai Environmental Alliance," the release said.

Before Richmond was hired, KEA had searched for a new executive director in 2018 but failed to find a suitable candidate. In an interview with The Press on Dec. 29, KEA interim executive director Kari Anderson said the second search had been more successful — producing over 47 applicants of which KEA chose Richmond.

Anderson said the nonprofit knew of the allegations against Richmond when he was hired, but because he never received any legal recourse and a clean background check, KEA's board believed it would not affect his leadership abilities.

Richmond's hiring was announced in late December. KEA announced he would begin his position remotely on Jan. 4, and arrive in North Idaho the middle of January.

"We are confident in Mr. Richmond's ability to lead KEA's mission of conserving, protecting, and restoring the environment forward," Anderson said in a statement last Tuesday. "Further, we do not subscribe to sensationalism for the sake of smearing someone's reputation. Allegations are not a proven fact, and Mr. Richmond has no other alleged instances or shown a pattern of the alleged behavior."

In addition to the school investigation, an incident report by an Ocala police officer described Richmond and the student in a minivan alone behind an abandoned car dealership the evening of Sunday, May 1, 2016. According to investigators, Richmond said the student had requested they meet alone — however, the student's statement did not corroborate.

Richmond was never charged or arrested following the investigation, Anderson said.

Despite his refutation of the past accusations, Richmond lost his position within the Marion County Public Schools District. Richmond was also chastised when he attempted to file for another teaching position a week later in Lake County, Fla. His application was declined by the Florida Department of Education, who penalized Richmond with a fine of $1,000 and three years probation.

Anderson said the KEA board plans to reconvene the new executive director's search committee in the coming weeks.

As in previous searches, the media release said the board intends to consider candidates with a background in nonprofit or business management, leading fundraising initiatives, growing community partnerships and volunteering support.

At the time of publication, Anderson had not responded to The Press' questions.