WOODFORD COUNTY, Ky. (LEX NEWS) — UPDATE: Aug. 3 at 10:45 a.m.
Woodford County Judge/Executive James Kay released the following statement on his Facebook page Monday morning.
I am aware of the lawsuit that was recently filed regarding Woodford County Emergency Medical Services (EMS). Although I was named as a defendant in my official capacity as Woodford County Judge/Executive, that is merely a common legal formality in Kentucky when claims are asserted against a county. The lawsuit does not involve any allegations of personal wrongdoing against members of the Fiscal Court or me.
At this point, it would be inappropriate for me to comment on the specific details of the complaint. Silence should never be confused with inaction. To ensure this matter is addressed with the urgency and gravity it demands, I have called a Special Meeting of the Woodford County Fiscal Court for tomorrow, Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. for the purpose of discussing this pending litigation pursuant to KRS 61.810(1)(c).
I fully understand the impact and concern for our community right now. I ask for your patience as the judicial process moves forward to examine all facts fully and fairly. As the case proceeds, we will continue the daily work of the Fiscal Court, including delivering the essential, life-saving emergency medical services our residents rely on every single day.
We will navigate this process with transparency, dignity, and steady leadership. As always, I place my trust in God for wisdom and guidance as we fulfill our duties to the people of Woodford County. Thank you.
Original Story:
A former Woodford County EMT is now fighting for accountability after a complaint filed on Wednesday details moments she experienced alleged sexual harassment and assault by her male colleagues.
Naomi Branham's attorney, Eric Branco with Johnson Branco & Brennan Law, filed the complaint against Woodford County Judge/Executive James Kay and the county's fiscal court on charges of discrimination, hostile work environment, sexual harassment, retaliation, and punitive damages.
Branco says 29-year-old Najay King and Branham knew one another when she was a part of Woodford County High School's EMS program. The same program where King was her instructor. The complaint alleges that King took a liking to Branham, and the two became friends.
Branham, a former EMT, joined Woodford County EMS in November 2023, claims she was subjected to harassment from several male paramedics, including King.
The complaint details a time when King bypassed the lock on Branham's EMS bedroom and lay on top of her while she was in bed. She asked him to leave, but he did not immediately comply, the complaint says.
“This is just about accountability, is really what it is. There was a problem that was fairly obvious in Woodford County EMS, and nobody wanted to deal with it. And when it came to their attention, instead of protecting Naomi and doing the right thing and finding out the truth, their investigation was focused on protecting Woodford County EMS," said Branco.
Multiple incidents between 2024 and 2025 are described in the complaint.
"Over time, Mr. King began to take advantage of their friendship and his superior position to subject Naomi to unwanted sexual messages, references to her body, and physical touching," the document reads.
It goes on to say that King also allegedly sent several "unwanted photos and videos of himself touching himself at work."
In August 2025, EMS Director Freeman Bailey was made aware of the allegations and held a meeting with Branham and Assistant Director Kent Berry.
“I’m enraged. Every time I watch that video, it’s almost impossible to get through in one sitting. I believe it’s over an hour long, and she talks maybe a minute," Branco recalls being shocked by what occurred during that meeting.
In security footage obtained by LEX News, both men can be heard telling Branham that she should have just said "No."
“I can assure you that nothing’s going to come forward, but the best thing for you is to lock those lips," Bailey is heard saying in the video. “No, you got to learn to say ‘Don’t send me that type of content.”
The pair also can be heard telling Branham that she has no evidence to support her claims. Bailey is also heard threatening to fire her and file defamation charges against her if she continues to speak about the allegations.
In the meeting, both Bailey and Kent are heard comparing Branham's situation to Pamela Anderson and Tommy Lee's sex tape scandal. The complaint reads that the use of that analogy insinuates Branham could have private moments of hers released.
Both Kent and Bailey are also heard on the video telling Branham that Snapchat is "evil," and she should "delete it off of her phone" and never use it again. According to the complaint, this conversation was regarding nude photos King allegedly sent Branham.
In the video, the two men call Branham a "good little Christian girl" who shouldn't be mixed up in this stuff.
In addition to accountability, Branco says Branham hopes King is never allowed to teach a school EMS program or be in a high school again. Branco says she doesn't want what happened to her happen to anyone else.
LEX News reached out to the attorney for Kay and the Woodford County Fiscal Court; that attorney declined to comment.
Najay King said he was unaware of the complaint and also had no comment.
Kayleigh Randle is committed to sharing your stories. If you have any you'd like to share with Kayleigh, you can email her at kayleigh.randle@wlex.tv.
