Webster County Public Health Department Director Kari Prescott has been placed on paid administrative leave pending an investigation into allegations of a hostile work environment, financial irregularities and irregularities in documentation.

“At this point, these are merely allegations and concerns discovered during an initial internal investigation, but the Board of Health determined these matters warranted further investigation,” said Webster County Attorney Darren Driscoll.

According to Driscoll, Prescott was placed on leave following a meeting of the Webster County Board of Health on Thursday. The decision to hold a meeting to consider placing Prescott on immediate leave was made just minutes before the meeting to “preserve records in their current state,” Driscoll said.

He said the initial internal investigation into Prescott was triggered by a letter of resignation filed May 2 by WCHD Family Planning Clinic provider Dr. Kelli Wallace.

“I have been a part of many different types of medical practices and gotten along well,” Wallace wrote in her letter of resignation. “However, I have never been part of such an organization that does not show consistent respect and professionalism.”

Driscoll said the allegations have been investigated over the last few weeks and information was presented to the Board of Health that led to taking the step of placing Prescott on administrative leave. He said she will remain on leave until the completion of a full investigation.

“Prescott is not deemed to have committed any of these alleged infractions at this point, pending the outcome of further investigation,” Driscoll said.