A local man detained in North Korea since May has been terminated from his job with the city of Moraine, where he has worked for more than 25 years.
The decision about Jeffrey Fowle's job, which became effective Thursday, includes more than $70,000 in severance pay and the ability to be reinstated, according to documents obtained by the Dayton Daily News.
The 56-year-old West Carrollton man is one of three U.S. citizens being held by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, where he is awaiting trial. Fowle, a Beavercreek High School graduate, said in a recent interview with CNN that he was deeply concerned about his employment status, as he is the main financial provider for his wife and their three children.
"We had hoped this action would not be necessary," states a letter dated Sept. 16 from Moraine City Manager David Hicks, "but in light of your continued incarceration in North Korea resulting from your (a) unilateral decision to travel to North Korea against the advice of your family and acquaintances; and (b) running afoul of North Korean restrictions on 'anti-government' activities, and as stated, the exhaustion of your accrued vacation time, we have to act in the best interests of the city of Moraine and its residents."
Fowle's attorney said the move comes as no surprise.
"The city of Moraine has bent over backwards on behalf of Jeff and his family," said Tim Tepe, who received a copy of the letter this week. "They were obviously in a position where they had to do something, and the family understands that. There are certainly no hard feelings.
"We certainly respect all the leeway that they've given Jeff," he added. "The bottom line is that his benefits have run out now. So we have to move in a different direction. But there's no hard feelings whatsoever between the family and the city of Moraine. I certainly appreciate everything they've done for Jeff over the past several months."
Fowle is charged in North Korea with attempting to leave a Bible or religious text at a sailor's club. In media interviews, he admitted guilt and said he had asked for forgiveness.