The former Terrell County EMS Director says she was terminated during a closed session of Commissioners Court without prior notice of the allegations, without being shown evidence, and without an opportunity to defend herself — allegations she says are false and fabricated.
Terrell County officials did not respond to a request for comment prior to publication.
Termination in Closed Session
Stephanie Everett served as Terrell County EMS Director from January 2022 until May 2024. According to official Commissioners Court minutes, Everett was dismissed during a special session held May 6, 2024, following an executive session that lasted more than three hours.
Everett said she was summoned to the special session without being told why.
“I had absolutely no idea what the meeting was about,” Everett said. “I was pulled into executive session, asked a few questions, told to leave, and then called back in and fired with a list of accusations I had never seen before.”
The official minutes state that Commissioners Court voted unanimously to dismiss Everett based on the following allegations:
Allowing unauthorized access to patient information in violation of HIPAA Allowing unauthorized access to controlled substances and unauthorized transfer Falsifying payroll records Violation of the Texas nepotism law under Texas Government Code Chapter 573 Allowing unauthorized persons to stay overnight in the EMS facility Allowing expired controlled substances to be kept on hand for use Lack of oversight and training Failure to pursue recovery of EMS account receivables
The minutes do not reference any investigative findings, reports, or evidence supporting those claims.
‘No Documentation, No Names’
Everett said she was never provided documentation, complainant names, or investigative materials related to the allegations.
“I verbally asked for proof,” Everett said. “The judge told me she had statements, but they were confidential. I was never allowed to see them.”
She said she had no prior disciplinary actions, incident reports, or written warnings during her tenure as EMS Director and was never interviewed as part of any investigation.
“I was never given the chance to defend myself,” she said.
Role of County Officials
County Judge Dale Carruthers presided over the meeting and was Everett’s direct supervisor at the time.
Everett said Judge Carruthers called the special session and refused to explain its purpose beforehand.
“I believe she influenced my termination,” Everett said. “She was my direct supervisor, and she controlled the process.”
Everett also said Judge Carruthers told multiple people that the County Attorney advised her termination. The County Attorney participated in the May 6 meeting by phone, according to the minutes.
Everett said she does not know how involved the County Attorney actually was and is unaware of any reports or referrals submitted to that office related to the allegations.
Fallout After the Termination
Everett said the Assistant EMS Director was fired the same day by telephone and did not receive written documentation explaining the termination.
She said the county’s EMS Medical Director resigned shortly after her dismissal.
“In addition to Dr. George resigning, several employees quit when myself and the assistant director were fired,” Everett said.
Rehired by the County
Several months after her termination, Everett said she was rehired to work for Terrell County EMS under a new director.
“I was rehired to work for Terrell County EMS under a different arrangement,” Everett said. “I went back and worked on the truck as an EMT in the same county, for the same EMS system.”
She said an attorney who advised her encouraged her to return to work.
“I was told that going back to work for them showed the accusations were not true,” Everett said.
That EMS Director later resigned. Everett said the next director hired was a former subordinate who she believes fabricated the original allegations against her.
“When that happened, I was no longer put on the schedule,” Everett said.
‘I Just Want My Name Cleared’
Everett said she did not immediately hire an attorney due to financial constraints and later learned that the statute of limitations had expired.
“I’m coming forward now because I want my name cleared,” Everett said. “People all over the region have asked me what happened in Terrell County, and this affects my reputation and my future employment.”
She said no one from the county instructed her not to speak with the press.
“I just want the public to know what goes on and what gets swept under the rug in our county,” Everett said.
County Response
Big Bend Times requested comment from Terrell County through the County Attorney’s office. No response was received prior to publication.
The story will be updated if county officials respond.
