Monroe County Fire Rescue dismissed the head of its helicopter ambulance department, Andrea Thompson, recently. This decision follows her indictment last month, linked to an investigation into the theft of medications from the department.
Air Ambulance Head’s Termination and Policy Violations
The county announced Thompson’s termination, effective immediately, in a statement released Friday afternoon. This move came after her superiors recommended the action during a predetermination hearing earlier this month. According to the county, Thompson violated internal policies, leading to what officials described as a “breach of public trust,” especially considering her leadership role within the department.
The Background
Thompson is one of three high-ranking county officials indicted by a grand jury in August. The indictments were part of an ongoing investigation into the alleged theft of narcotics from the Trauma Star helicopter ambulance department, which occurred under the supervision of its former chief flight nurse, Lynda Rusinowski, in 2022. Although Thompson and the two other officials are not accused of directly stealing the drugs, they face other charges related to the case.
Among those indicted was former County Administrator Roman Gastesi Jr., who served Monroe County for 16 years. Gastesi, 61, faces a charge of official misconduct, which could lead to up to five years in prison.
Thompson, 45, faces multiple charges, including official misconduct, providing false information to law enforcement, evidence tampering, and altering patient records. Dr. Sandra Schwemmer, the medical director of the Fire Rescue and Trauma Star ambulance program, is also charged with official misconduct, providing false information, and altering patient records.
The Role Rusinowski
The grand jury indicted Rusinowski earlier this summer on 36 counts, including 10 counts of grand theft and 26 counts related to falsifying records to cover up the theft of narcotics such as fentanyl, ketamine, and morphine.
