Polk County EMS workers accused of having sex while on-duty

POLK COUNTY, Fla. — Channel 9 has learned about an internal investigation that exposed an emergency services sex scandal that resulted in several firings in Polk County.

According to Polk County, a tip from Shellie Krauklis’ boyfriend first alerted investigators to what was going on at EMS buildings and command offices across the county.

"Three employees had been engaged in consensual sexual activity while on duty,” said Polk County Fire Chief David Cash.

Fire Chief David Cash said investigators uncovered sexual encounters between Kraukis and two coworkers, medical supervisor Mike Tomlinson and Battalion Chief Trampas Fletcher, since January.

Channel 9 also learned that Krauklis sent and received sexual text messages from Deputy Chief Michael Choate but he never made physical contact with him.

According to the county, at least one of the physical encounters happened where the ambulances are stationed.

Meanwhile, across the street, Choate was sending and receiving text messages on his county cellphone.

While Choate wasn't fired, he was suspended for a week, costing him about $2,500 in lost wages.

"We're all human,” said Cash. “These are good employees that made a bad decision.”

The county said because the sexual encounters happened on county property and during work hours… the relationships violate the code of conduct and provide grounds for termination.

“There is concern, quite frankly, for the employees and their families, so on a lot of levels it is disappointing and hurtful,” said Cash.

The three employees who lost their jobs can appeal the termination. So far, none have.

WFTV