By Stephenie Steitzer
Enquirer contributor

COVINGTON - A supervisor for Northern Kentucky's health department has sued the independent agency, accusing the public health director of reprimanding her for questioning the legality of a task he assigned to her.

Hazel Bentley, the department's clinical services director, filed a lawsuit Dec. 12 in Kenton County Circuit Court against the Northern Kentucky Independent District Health Department, its director, Gary Crum, and the state Cabinet for Health Services.

In the lawsuit, Ms. Bentley alleges Mr. Crum asked her to send a health department nurse to an Ohio health agency to "help them solve some of their problems."

Ms. Bentley said she questioned Mr. Crum about the propriety of these acts since the Ohio agency was not reimbursing Kentucky for the expense of the nurse.

"I think what he's done is retaliated against something she felt was a violation of the statute," said Ken Scott, Ms. Bentley's attorney.

Mr. Crum said he asked Ms. Bentley to assign a nurse who has both Kentucky and Ohio nursing licenses to give advice to Every Child Succeeds, a nonprofit program that helps first-time mothers and their families in Greater Cincinnati.

Mr. Crum said the health department gives the organization about $2 million for the service it provides to Northern Kentucky families each year. Since the health department has a large stake invested in the group, he said, it is OK for the department to help the group improve the quality of its services

Mark Arnzen, attorney for Mr. Crum and the health department, said Mr. Crum reprimanded Ms. Bentley for issues unrelated to the nurse assignment.

Mr. Scott said Mr. Crum has accused his client of conducting meetings improperly and giving improper information at public meetings - accusations he says are false.

"They did do some things that are in her record that are totally false and that gives her a very, very bad light," he said.

Mr. Arnzen said the health department's board of directors has investigated the allegations and found the notes in the file to be appropriate.

John Walker, general counsel for the state Cabinet for Health Services, said he is looking into the allegations to determine why the cabinet and the Department for Public Health were named as defendants.

Mr. Scott said his client is seeking compensation for pain and suffering, attorney fees and lost pay and benefits. Ms. Bentley took a medical leave in September, saying the stress caused an increase in blood pressure.