A Franklin Circuit Court judge has denied the Kentucky Community and Technical College System’s motion to dismiss a whistleblower lawsuit filed by a former chief of staff.  The two-year college system is facing allegations of  “waste, mismanagement, and violations of the laws of the Commonwealth of Kentucky” from Hannah Rivera, who worked in many capacities at KCTCS over a decade including as chief of staff. Rivera is suing KCTCS for violating the Kentucky Whistleblower Act and for wrongful termination, as she alleges she faced retaliation for reporting issues.  Judge Thomas Wingate denied a motion from KCTCS to dismiss the case Monday. In his order, Wingate wrote that he “cannot dismiss this matter at this premature stage” and directed Rivera and KCTCS to begin the discovery process as there is a “clear factual dispute” between the parties.  Whistleblower suit alleges waste, mismanagement, illegality in KY’s community college system KCTCS previously refuted Rivera’s claims in a statement to the Kentucky Lantern.  Rivera declined to comment on Wingate’s order. Blair Hess, a spokesperson for KCTCS, said in an email the college system continues to refute Rivera’s claims, “including breach of contract and retaliation.”  “We continue to be focused on what is important: the future of KCTCS and a path forward that prioritizes the success of our students and building an educated workforce for Kentucky,” Hess said. Attorneys for Rivera and KCTCS appeared before Wingate in Frankfort last week. There, Cynthia Effinger, representing KCTCS, argued that Rivera resigned from her position after presenting Quarles with  a signed voluntary separation agreement and asking KCTCS to consider the terms of the agreement. However, Garry Adams, for Rivera, said that Rivera’s offer to be terminated was contingent on her terms being considered, which he said KCTCS never did. Rivera’s whistleblower complaint comes as KCTCS has undergone several reviews and audits. KCTCS representatives, including President Ryan Quarles, recently presented lawmakers with nearly a dozen recommendations to improve the two-year college system. The recommendations could lead to future legislative action affecting KCTCS.  Established in 1997, KCTCS has 16 colleges across the state and serves more than 100,000 students. The post Judge rules whistleblower lawsuit against KY community college system may proceed appeared first on The Lexington Times.