Mont. Co. Assessor tied to scandal

MONTGOMERY CO. (The Paper) - A storm passed over the Montgomery County Courthouse over the last month and it had nothing to do with the weather, 24-Hour News 8's partner at The Paper of Montgomery Co. reports.

According to published reports in multiple newspapers and television stations, Madison County Councilman David McCartney had been exchanging sexually explicit e-mails with a woman who has been identified as Montgomery County Assessor Kelly Ewoldt.

Montgomery County Council President Brian Keim said that he was aware of the allegations. "We heard from the county commissioners," Keim said. "No one is making any comments. We are to forward everything to Dan Taylor, the attorney."

Taylor said the county commissioners would make a statement Monday morning.

However, the county is limited in what it can and can not do since Ewoldt is an elected official.

The Paper made multiple attempts to contact Ewoldt with no success. She was elected to the county assessor post in 2010.

According to media reports, Ewoldt and McCartney both used their government e-mail accounts and corresponded during working hours. One report quoted an e-mail exchange on Feb. 14 in which McCartney asked Ewoldt if he was keeping her from doing her work. "No, not in the mindset to do much today," Ewoldt wrote back.

McCartney, who is married, issued an apology that said in part, "I inappropriately used my county email for my own use. I have hurt those around me and used bad judgment in my position. I am broken by this and have spiritually asked for guidance and forgiveness. I deeply love my wife and want to thank those who have been praying for us during this difficult time."

He added that he was not planning on resigning. He is also running for a county commissioner seat. However, the Madison County Republican Party is calling on the embattled politician to step down.

Scott Molin, chair of the Montgomery County GOP, said it was too early to make such a statement here.

"I wouldn't want to say until we have more facts," Molin said Friday evening. "Obviously if the allegations are true it's inappropriate behavior," he added. "If this is true, it certainly isn't appropriate use of government resources."

Montgomery County has an acceptable use policy that covers how those resources can be used. In part, it says "E-mail should be used for electronic communications between employees, customers and vendors only."

The county personnel policy also has a provision that addresses "disorderly conduct on county property" that identifies misconduct to include lewd statements and indecent conduct.

The Paper of Montgomery County has filed a public records request to examine the e-mails.

Some Montgomery County Republican elected officials said they were not aware of the accusations. County Commissioner Terry Hockersmith responded, "No comment" to questions.

Montgomery County Republican Party Treasurer Jack Wyatt said, "If she is doing this at work, then she shouldn't be doing it. I don't know what to say. I'm aghast something like this would happen. I'm shocked and I'm saddened."

Calls to other county commissioners and county council members were not immediately returned.