HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-03-2025 (Torian Hearing)October 3, 2025
At a Special Called Meeting of the Paducah Board of Commissioners held on Friday, October 3,
2025, at 9:00 a.m., in the Board of Commissioners Chambers, City Hall, 300 South 5a' Street,
Paducah, Kentucky, Mayor George Bray presided. Upon call of the roll by Assistant City Clerk,
Claudia Meeks, the following answered to their names: Commissioners Henderson, Smith,
Thomas, Wilson and Mayor Bray (5).
A transcript of this Public Hearing is on file in the 10-03-2025 Nathan Torian Hearing Minutes File
in City Clerk's Office.
RATIFY MAYOR'S ORDERS
Commissioner Henderson offered motion, seconded by Commissioner Smith, "to ratify the Orders
issued by the Board of Commissioners and signed by Mayor George Bray. Specifically,
• The Order regarding Kentucky Rules of Evidence, witness and exhibit lists and providing
copies of exhibits
Adopted on call of the roll yeas, Commissioners Henderson, Smith, Thomas, Wilson and Mayor
Bray (5).
A copy of said Order can be found in the 10-03-2025 Nathan Torian Hearing Minutes File
READING OF CHARGES — The reading of the charges was waived upon agreement of both
parties. A copy of the Disciplinary Charges and Notification of Hearing Date will be found in the
10-03-2025 Nathan Torian Hearing Minutes File.
PUBLIC HEARING RELATED TO ADMINISTRATIVE DISCIPLINARY CHARGES
FILED AGAINST NATHAN TORIAN, CAPTAIN, PADUCAH FIRE DEPARTMENT
Jeffrey Mando served as Complainant Counsel. Peter Jannace and Zuzana Murarova, served as
Respondent Counsel. Nicholas Holland served as Counsel to the City Commission.
Attorney Mando waived his opening statement.
Attorney Jannace was allowed 10 minutes to make an opening statement.
A copy of the City of Paducah's Witness and Exhibit List along with all introduced Exhibits can be
found in the 10-03-2025 Nathan Torian Hearing Minutes File.
A copy of the Respondent's Witness and Exhibit List along with all introduced Exhibits can be
found in the 10-03-2025 Nathan Torian Hearing Minutes File.
Each witness was sworn in by the City Clerk before testifying before the City Commission.
Mr. Mando was allowed 10 minutes to make a closing statement.
Mr. Jannace was allowed 10 minutes to make a closing statement.
RECESS FOR LUNCH:
Commissioner Smith offered Motion, seconded by Commissioner Thomas that the proceedings
recess for lunch at 12:10 p.m. Proceedings will reconvene at 1:00 p.m.
Adopted on call of the roll yeas, Commissioners Henderson, Smith, Thomas, Wilson and Mayor
Bray (5).
RECONVENE FROM LUNCH:
Commissioner Smith offered Motion, seconded by Commissioner Henderson that the proceedings
reconvene. Time: 1:00 p.m.
Adopted on call of the roll yeas, Commissioners Henderson, Smith, Thomas, Wilson and Mayor
Bray (5).
WITNESS TESTIMONY CONTINUES.
CLOSING STATEMENTS:
October 3, 2025
Mr. Mando was allowed 10 minutes to make a closing statement.
Mr. Jannace was allowed 10 minutes to make a closing statement.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Commissioner Henderson offered motion, seconded by Commissioner Smith, that the Board go into
closed session for discussion of matters pertaining to the following topic:
• Issues which might lead to the discipline or dismissal of a member, i.e., Commissioner,
as permitted by KRS 61.810(1)(f).
Adopted on call of the roll yeas, Commissioners Henderson, Smith, Thomas, Wilson, and Mayor
Bray (5).
RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION
Following the deliberation in closed session, the Board of Commissioners reconvened in Open
Session for consideration on the following charges against Captain Nathan Torian, Paducah Fire
Fighter. Motion made by Commissioner Henderson, seconded by Commissioner Smith,
Adopted on call of the roll yeas, Commissioners Henderson, Smith, Thomas, Wilson, and Mayor
Bray (5).
ACTION RELATED TO MISCONDUCT CHARGES FILED AGAINST NATHAN
TORIAN, CAPTAIN, PADUCAH FIRE DEPARTMENT
The City Clerk read Charge L•
Exhibiting insubordination and disrespect to Battalion Chief Tinsman by referring to her as a lower
rank during a call and later in a run report when you had actual knowledge of her proper rank. This
behavior is in violation of Paducah Code of Ordinance Sec. 2-313(a)(1)(c).
Motion made by Commissioner Smith. Seconded by Commissioner Henderson to find Nathan
Torian, Captain, Paducah Fire Department, guilty of Charge I.
Voting Yea: Commissioners Smith and Wilson
Voting Nay: Commissioners Henderson, Thomas, and Mayor Bray.
MOTION FAILS. Yeas (2), Nays (3)
The City Clerk read Charge II:
Exhibiting impoliteness and rudeness to Battalion Chief Tinsman by referring to her as a lower rank
during a call and later in a run report when you had actual knowledge of her proper rank. This
behavior is in violation of Paducah Code of Ordinance Sec. 2-313(a)(1)(o).
Motion made by Commissioner Thomas. Seconded by Commissioner Wilson to find Nathan
Torian, Captain, Paducah Fire Department, guilty of Charge II.
Voting Yea: Commissioner Smith, Thomas, Wilson and Mayor Bray
Voting Nay: Commissioner Henderson
MOTION CARRIES Yeas (4), Nays (1)
The City Clerk read Charge III:
Engaging in a dispute or quarrel with Battalion Chief Tinsman by referring to her as a lower rank
during a call and later in a run report when you had actual knowledge of her proper rank. This
behavior is in violation of Paducah Code of Ordinance Sec. 2-313(a)(1)(r).
Motion made by Commissioner Wilson, Seconded by Commissioner Thomas, to find Nathan
Torian, Captain, Paducah Fire Department, guilty of Charge III.
October 3, 2025
Voting Yea: None
Voting Nay: Commissioners Henderson, Smith, Thomas, Wilson, Mayor Bray.
MOTION FAILS. Nays (5)
The City Clerk read Charge IV:
Engaging in impoliteness and rudeness toward Stefanie Wilcox when interrupting the interview
Blankenship was attempting to conduct and acting disrespectfully towards Wilcox when you were
asked to leave. This behavior is in violation of Paducah Code of Ordinance Sect. 2-313(a)(1)(o)
Motion made by Commissioner Henderson, Seconded by Commissioner Smith to find Nathan
Torian, Captain, Paducah Fire Department, guilty of Charge IV.
Voting Yea: Commissioners Henderson, Smith, Wilson and Mayor Bray.
Voting Nay: Commissioner Thomas.
MOTION CARRIES. Yeas (4) Nays (1)
The City Clerk read Charge V:
Disgracing the City of Paducah and City of Paducah Fire Department by attempting to engage in
inappropriate and unethical ex parte communications with Supreme Court Justice Nickell. This
behavior is in violation of Paducah Code of Ordinance Sec 2 -776 -Conduct Unbecoming.
Motion made by Commissioner Smith, Seconded by Commissioner Henderson to find Nathan
Torian, Captain, Paducah Fire Department, guilty of Charge V.
Voting Yea: Commissioners Smith, Wilson, and Mayor Bray.
Voting Nay: Commissioners Henderson and Thomas
MOTION CARRIES. Yeas (3) Nays (2)
The City Clerk read Charge Vl:
Engaging in improper conduct, which would tend to bring criticism to the Paducah Fire Department
by attempting to engage in inappropriate and unethical ex parte communications with Supreme
Court Justice Nickell., leading to Justice Nickell's public disclosure of the communications. This
behavior is in violation of Paducah Code of Ordinance Sec 2-313(a)(1)(k).
Motion made by Commissioner Wilson, Seconded by Commissioner Thomas to find Nathan Torian,
Captain, Paducah Fire Department, guilty of Charge VI.
Voting Yea: Commissioners Henderson, Smith, Wilson and Mayor Bray
Voting Nay: Commissioner Thomas
MOTION CARRIES. Yeas (4) Nays (1)
The City Clerk read Charge VII:
Exhibiting insubordination to Deputy Chief Denton by undermining his direct order that you would
not attend AMSC meetings unless requested to do so. This behavior is in violation of Paducah Code
of Ordinance See 2-313(a)(1)(c).
Motion made by Commissioner Wilson, Seconded by Commissioner Thomas, to find Nathan
Torian, Captain, Paducah Fire Department, guilty of Charge VII.
Voting Yea: Commissioners Henderson, Smith, Wilson and Mayor Bray
Voting Nay: Commissioner Thomas
MOTION CARRIES. Yeas (4) Nays (1)
October 3, 2025
The City Clerk read Charge VIII:
Acting rudely by interrupting the AMSC meeting while undermining Deputy Chief Denton's order
that you would not engage in the meeting without his permission. This behavior is in violation of
Paducah Code of Ordinance Sec 2-313(a)(1)(o).
Motion made by Commissioner Henderson, Seconded by Commissioner Smith, to find Nathan
Torian, Captain, Paducah Fire Department, guilty of Charge VIII.
Voting Yea: Commissioners Smith and Wilson
Voting Nay: Commissioners Henderson, Thomas and Mayor Bray
MOTION FAILS Yeas (2) Nays (3)
The City Clerk read Charge IX:
Engaging in a dispute with Deputy Chief Denton by undermining his direct order to you that you
could not attend an AMSC meeting without his request.. This behavior is in violation of Paducah
Code of Ordinance Sec 2-313(a)(1)(r).
Motion made by Commissioner Smith, Seconded by Commissioner Henderson, to find Nathan
Torian, Captain, Paducah Fire Department, guilty of Charge IX.
Voting Yea: Commissioners Henderson, Smith, Wilson and Mayor Bray
Voting Nay: Commissioner Thomas
Motion Carries: Yeas (4) Nays (1)
MOTION REGARDING DISCIPLINE/PUNISHMENT AGAINST CAPTAIN NATHAN
TORIAN, PADUCAH FIRE FIGHTER:
Motion was made by Mayor Bray, seconded by Commissioner Wilson, for the punishment to be
Termination of Employment of Nathan Torian, Captain, Fire Department.
Voting Yea: Commissioners Henderson, Smith, Thomas, Wilson and Mayor Bray
Voting Nay: None
MOTION CARRIES. Yeas (5) Nays (0)
ADJOURN
Commissioner Wilson offered Motion, seconded by Commissioner Smith, that the meeting be
adjourned.
Adopted on call of the roll yeas, Commissioners Henderson, Smith, Thomas, Wilson, and Mayor
Bray (5).
TIME ADJOURNED: 6:55 p.m.
ADOPTED: October 21, 2025
George Bray, Mayor
ATTEST:
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Claudia S. Meeks, Assistant City Clerk