By MIKE CORN

mcorn@dailynews.net

After languishing for more than two years, the investigation into current and former WaKeeney officials ended abruptly Friday with virtually no explanation offered other than to say that "no further action will be taken."

"We're done," said Tom Drees, Ellis County attorney and the former special prosecutor for Trego County. "At this point, unless something develops, we're done."

In a short statement issued Friday, Drees wrote: "The issues and concerns raised have been investigated. Remedial actions have been taken at the city and county level. In the interest of justice, it is time to conclude this investigation. No further action will be taken."

Drees would not say what prompted the decision to abruptly end the case, or detail what the "remedial actions" were.

"I'm going to have to stand by the release at this time," Drees said.

Response was mixed from two of the three people who had been at the center of the investigation.

Former mayor Kenny Deutscher expressed relief that it was over and that no charges will come of the matter.

"It's been a long time," he said. "Almost three years."

Former councilwoman Charlene Neish said she was numb.

"It's unfortunate it took so long to get that," she said of the announcement that the issue had been resolved.

WaKeeney Police Chief Terry Eberle could not be contacted.

Neither Neish nor Deutscher had been contacted by Drees concerning the announcement.

"Nobody from there called me at all," Deutscher said. "I haven't heard anything from Tom Drees or any attorney."

Instead, he received word that the investigation had been terminated from Neish, who learned of the announcement from Western Kansas World Editor Jerry Millard.

The investigation started early in 2007, reportedly involving cell phone use and personal use of city-owned vehicles.

What brought the end is subject to conjecture, but Neish points to comments made at a disciplinary hearing for former WaKeeney City Attorney Dave Harding. At that hearing, his attorney said they would be working with Drees to bring the issue to a rapid conclusion.

At the same hearing, disciplinary administrator Stan Hazlett said Harding had improperly passed along information to Drees. Hazlett recommended censure in the case, but that decision will ultimately be made by the Kansas Supreme Court.

Although Neish said she was uncertain what Drees meant by "remedial actions" being taken, she thinks it might be that a cell-phone policy has been adopted by the city council, just as there has been a policy involving use of city vehicles. But, she said, the city has gone back to allowing the use of city vehicles if it helps WaKeeney residents.

Neish said she lays blame for the entire incident at Harding's feet, who was angered because she raised questions about his eligibility for retirement benefits in his role as city attorney. KPERS has since determined that he was not eligible in his role as city attorney.

At the disciplinary hearing, Harding admitted that he was angry at the loss of his retirement benefits.

"It's too little, too late," Neish said of the announcement by Drees. "Lives have been damaged, careers have been changed."

And it's cost thousands of dollars, as legal fees for Neish, Deutscher and Eberle have topped $40,000. Those fees have been paid by the city, which has sued the city's insurance carrier to be reimbursed for the fees.

The matter should have been resolved two years sooner, she said.

"I am glad it came out this way," Deutscher said. "I've had enough stomach troubles the last three years. I found out you learn pretty fast who some of your friends are. You learn pretty fast and get some pretty good surprises."

"I plan to put my fence up in the back yard and enjoy my summer," Neish said, "and try to recover from the nasty side of politics."