BALLSTON SPA — A 17-year veteran of the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office who suffered an on-the-job seizure and then was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder is fighting to keep his job and medical benefits.
Calling it a challenge, Sgt. Tom Moldenhouer said no one from the department administration or human resources have responded to his pleas to return to work. He also said they ignored his medical letters clearing him to work. And as a result, the 49-year-old has been without an income and medical insurance for months.
“I’m ignored,” Moldenhouer said. “The only thing I got back from HR was that they received my letter. They pretty much don’t want me back and I don’t know why. I was never written up or disciplined and I always had a good rapport with my bosses. I think they got scared when they heard epilepsy and PTSD. … Financially it’s been a disaster. It’s taken a toll.”
The financial stress has prompted the Saratoga County sheriff’s deputies union to create a FundtheFirst.com fundraiser for Moldenhouer. The union is hoping to raise $50,000 for Moldenhouser, whom PBA President Ryan Mahan called “one of the kindest, patient and humble people who wears a police uniform.”
The money will go toward paying Moldenhouer’s mortgage on his modest Stillwater home, Mahan said.
“I want to make sure he doesn’t lose his house,” Mahan said. “He’s a humble guy who doesn’t deserve this.”
Mahan also said that the union is fighting Moldenhouer’s case in court, but that it might take a year to resolve. Meanwhile, Moldenhouer and his wife need the money.
“Tom has been financially handcuffed for almost two years,” Mahan wrote. “He cannot return to work because he is not cleared by the department for patrol. He cannot get them to approve a light duty administrative position in order to continue working in some alternative…
Read the full article here
Leave a Reply