Grand jury indictments have been issued against Dr. Sandra Schwemmer and Capt. Andrea Thompson in Monroe County, Florida.
Schwemmer, 72, the medical director of Monroe County Fire Rescue and Trauma Star, has been charged with three counts: one count of official misconduct, one count of providing false information to law enforcement, and one count of altering patient records. Bond for Dr. Schwemmer has been set at $100,000.
Andrea Thompson, 45, division chief of EMS & Trauma Star, faces a total of nine counts. These include two counts of official misconduct, one count of providing false information to law enforcement, two counts of tampering with physical evidence, three counts of tampering with witnesses, and one count of altering patient records. Bond for Thompson has been set at $250,000.
The bonds for both individuals were set and signed by Judge Mark Wilson.
These latest indictments follow the grand jury’s decision last week to indict Lynda Rusinowski, the former chief flight nurse for Monroe County Fire Rescue, who was involved in related misconduct within the same department. The swift succession of these legal actions underscores the commitment of the Monroe County State Attorney’s Office to address breaches of public trust and ensure accountability among those entrusted with public safety, according to a statement from the state attorney’s office.
“This case, along with last week’s indictment, underscores our commitment to holding public servants accountable for their actions,” said State Attorney Dennis Ward. “The charges against Dr. Sandra Schwemmer and Andrea Thompson reflect serious violations of public trust, and our office will pursue justice with the full weight of the law. No one is above the law, especially those entrusted with public safety and the welfare of our community.”
Note: The above press release provides an overview of the legal actions taken against Dr. Sandra Schwemmer and Andrea Thompson. The details contained herein are based on official documents and are subject to change as legal proceedings continue. Investigations into related matters are ongoing, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
COUNTY OFFICIALS RESPOND
Monroe County commissioners and county fire rescue officials were made aware of the indictments against Thompson and Schwemmer on Friday morning. The county says it’s in the process of terminating a contract with Schwemmer’s company effective immediately. The county paid Schwemmer’s company $124,842.50 annually to provide medical director services for MCFR’s paramedics and flight nurses.
Key West Fire Rescue Medical Director Dr. Antonio Gandia has agreed to step in and become Monroe County’s temporary medical director and will assist MCFR in any capacity needed.
Thompson, who was hired on July 30, 2001, has been suspended without pay pending a pre-determination hearing. Deputy Chief R.L. Colina will directly oversee the division, effective immediately. The pre-determination hearing, which is used to review an employee’s status following an arrest or other disciplinary action, has not yet been set. Thompson’s total annual salary is $151,127.87.
“These are serious criminal charges brought forward from a separate review by the State Attorney’s Office independent of the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office investigation, and we are taking these allegations very seriously,” said Acting County Administrator Kevin Wilson. “We will follow due process during our internal investigations while we await formal court proceedings. Our first priority is to ensure that the County’s emergency services continue to provide excellent care to our residents and visitors without interruptions.”
