Embattled ambulance director resigns
Staff writer
Marion County ambulance director Curt Hasart, under threat of having his license taken away, has resigned effective Sept. 20.
Hasart has been embattled for months after Kansas Board of Emergency Medical Services began investigating whether he lied about pending criminal cases in South Dakota when he applied for a Kansas paramedic license in 2011,
Hasart is under threat of having his license taken away because the state board found out he had two criminal cases pending against him when he applied for his Kansas license.
At that time, the Board of EMS took an applicant’s word instead of doing a background check.
After Hasart came to a commission meeting to give a department update Tuesday, vice chairman David Crofoot called for a five-minute executive session with Hasart.
When the session was over, commissioners unanimously accepted Hasart’s resignation. However, Crofoot’s announcement was in such a soft voice that it was not clear Hasart had resigned until minutes of the meeting were distributed Wednesday.
The state’s investigation will continue.
Joe House, director of the state Board of EMS, said before Hasart’s resignation that the matter would come before the state board during its October meeting.
Newly obtained evidence about Hasart’s then-ongoing criminal cases at the time he applied in Kansas is expected to be presented at that time.
Hasart received a temporary Kansas license Dec. 9, 2011.
According to South Dakota court records, Hasart was charged Aug. 16, 2011, in South Dakota for a July 25, 2011, domestic assault.
He also was charged Sept. 6, 2011, with obstructing a law enforcement officer by using or threatening violence Aug. 22, 2011, and with resisting arrest by intentionally attempting to prevent an officer by using a means that created a substantial risk of injury to the officer.
A probable cause affidavit for this arrest shows that the judge had to summon courtroom security for a hearing on a temporary protection order involving Hasart.
When Hasart, outside the courtroom, was told it was time for court, he yelled, “I will f***ing kill her if I go in there.”
He walked away and ignored an order to stop. Two deputies put him to the ground, but Hasart continued to resist while they handcuffed him and arrested him anyway, the affidavit states.
While both cases were pending, his bond was modified so he could go to job interviews in Oklahoma and Wellington.
Hasart made a plea agreement Jan. 12, 2012 — after Kansas granted him a temporary license — to obstruction of justice and was sentenced Jan. 18, 2012, to pay $420 and serve 15 days in jail.
He entered a diversion agreement in the domestic assault case. Charges were dismissed Jan. 12, 2012, then re-filed July 3, 2012. The case was dismissed again March 1, 2013.
Hasart had further criminal charges in Kansas while working at Wellington. There he was charged with battery and disorderly conduct. In that case, he entered a diversion agreement.
Marion County EMS employees have complained about Hasart’s behavior as ambulance director and threatened mass resignations. All wished to remain anonymous because they feared reprisal if they spoke openly.