Outreach coordinator fired

Javier Ramirez was fired from his job as community outreach and block grant coordinator for the city, a city official said Friday.

City Manager Larry Werner said Ramirez, 38, was notified "face to face" Thursday afternoon, one day after he was arrested by Carson City investigators on allegations of extortion, robbery, destruction of property and possession of stolen property.

"Generally, when something like this happens with a city employee, then we'll basically suspend the employee and put him on paid administrative leave until we actually make the decision to fire them," said Werner.

On Thursday morning, Werner said Ramirez was on leave, but by Thursday afternoon, city officials decided to let him go.

"It's in the best interest of the city that Javier not work for us," he said.

Because Ramirez' position as outreach coordinator was paid for through a grant, officials intend to review whether to eliminate the position altogether.

"That's up in the air," he said.

The block grant work will likely become an existing employee's responsibility.

Ramirez was arrested Wednesday afternoon after a woman, whose name has not been released by investigators, told police that two years ago Ramirez had lent her $3,000.

She said that since the loan, he'd been stalking her, ripped her purse out of her hands and fled, forced himself on her, slashed her tires, and told her she could have sex with him in exchange for repayment, according to police reports.

After allegedly stealing the woman's purse, Ramirez refused to return her identification unless she gave him money, said Detective Craig Lowe.

Ramirez spent 12 hours in jail before posting bond on a $47,500 bail.

Ramirez did not return messages left for him at his home Friday afternoon.

• Contact reporter F.T. Norton at ftnorton@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1213.