Oak Hill Scandal

NSBNews.net video and photos by Henry Frederick / Oak Hill City Hall had a courtroom feel to it Monday night with Police Chief Diane Young and suspended Sgt. Manuel Perez airing their differences before the Personnel Board with a happy ending. Perez, was represented by attorney David Hood, former Ormond Beach mayor. Young is shown at left with Personnel Board member Jeff Bracy. The video has highlights from both sides. NSBNews.net was the only media outlet present.

OAK HILL -- Suspended Sgt. Manuel Perez is returning to the police force after an intense hearing Monday night before the city's Personnel Board where he and Chief Diane Young were able to iron out their differences.

Photo by Sera Frederick / Police Chief Diane Young has been dogged by a host of problems since she became the city's top cop in March 2010, including two sergeants suspended under her command.

OAK HILL -- Before she became a cop, by her own admission, Diane Young snorted cocaine 100 times and smoked marijuana. She also took quaaludes, commonly referred to as "ludes," according to results of a lie detector test she took as part of her hiring process.

The embattled police chief, beset by a host of corruption allegations by rogue cops under her command for more than a year, admitted to the cocaine and marijuana usage in writing on her application with the city eight years ago. But she left off her use of quaaludes, a highly addictive drug similar to barbiturates, known for its euphoric effects.

The discovery of the third drug was made last month by then-Mayor Darla Lauer who abruptly resigned, saying initially in a resignation letter to the city that it was because of her pending move to Alaska where her husband, an air traffic controller, has a new job. But Lauer told NSBNews.net moments after her e-mailed resignation she was "fed up with the corruption under the command of an inept chief" she never wanted in the first place because of her sordid drug history.

Photos by Sera Frederick / Manuel Perez is the second Oak Hill sergeant to be placed on administrative leave under embattled Police Chief Diane Young. Perez claims Young has threatened to cut off his pay. Please click the attachment to read his allegations.

OAK HILL -- Suspended Sgt. Manuel Perez put the city on notice in writing Tuesday that he is suing Police Chief Diane Young and the municipality, claiming sexual harassment, racial discrimination and other job-related issues.

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Photos by Sera Frederick / Police Chief Diane Young's one-year tenure could end tonight at City Hall amid the corruption scandal with suspended cop Michael Ihnken being shown the door as well.

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Photos by Henry Frederick and video by Sera Frederick / Suspended Oak Hill police officer Mike Ihnken refutes Police Chief Diane Young's administrative charges and demand to the City Commission that he be "terminated" for being derelict in his duties. The commission gives him the benefit of the doubt at Monday's packed meeting and questions whether Young is the problem. See our exclusive post-meeting video interview with the officer.

OAK HILL -- On a 3-2 vote, the City Commission led by Mayor Darla Lauer rejected Police Chief Diane Young's recommendation that embattled officer Michael Ihnken be fired.