Behind-the-Scenes Probe Reveals Racially Insensitive and Sexually Suggestive Remarks by Top Election Board Official
A confidential Department of Investigation (DOI) probe has uncovered evidence of racially insensitive and sexually suggestive remarks made by the white male director of the city’s election board, Michael Ryan, to two top-level minority female staffers. The report recommends that Ryan resign or be removed from his position.
The Investigation
The DOI completed its report in November, but it has not been publicly disclosed previously. The investigation began in August, when the Hispanic female staffer filed a complaint with the Board of Elections (BOE). Board Commissioner Carol Edmead forwarded the complaint to DOI, and the staffer followed up directly to the investigative agency, accusing Ryan of harassment, sexual harassment, and creating a hostile work environment.
The Allegations
According to the report, Ryan made racially insensitive and sexually suggestive remarks to the two staffers, including:
- Trying to touch the face of a Hispanic employee and making comments about "how young is too young" for an older man to date a younger woman.
- Recounting jokes he said he’d made to friends about not trusting Puerto Ricans and Dominicans.
- Asking a South Asian employee, "What type of Indian are you?" and telling her that individuals of Indian descent are "non-confrontational."
- Making a joke to a visiting Department of Justice lawyer about his son thinking a bearded Sikh gas station attendant looked like Santa Claus.
The Consequences
The DOI determined that Ryan’s behavior created an unlawful hostile work environment for the two employees and that the BOE did not have sufficient policies and protocols in place to adequately prevent or address such incidents.
The Recommendation
The report recommends that Ryan resign or be removed from his position, citing his demonstrated misconduct and failure to understand the seriousness of his behavior.
The BOE’s Response
The BOE has no written policy or practical mechanism to address complaints of harassment, sexual harassment, and hostile work environment against senior management. The report notes that the board’s current reporting structure allows executive management to investigate allegations against themselves, which can create a conflict of interest.
Conclusion
The DOI’s report highlights the need for the BOE to take immediate action to address the toxic work environment created by Ryan’s behavior. The board must take steps to prevent similar incidents in the future and ensure that all employees feel safe and respected in the workplace.
FAQs
Q: What was the purpose of the DOI investigation?
A: The DOI investigation was conducted to determine whether Michael Ryan, the executive director of the BOE, had engaged in harassing or discriminatory behavior towards two female employees.
Q: What were the allegations made against Ryan?
A: The allegations included making racially insensitive and sexually suggestive remarks to the two employees, as well as creating a hostile work environment.
Q: What was the outcome of the investigation?
A: The DOI determined that Ryan’s behavior created an unlawful hostile work environment for the two employees and recommended that he resign or be removed from his position.
Q: What does the BOE plan to do to address the allegations?
A: The BOE has not publicly commented on the allegations or the DOI’s recommendations. However, the report recommends that the board take immediate action to address the toxic work environment created by Ryan’s behavior and ensure that all employees feel safe and respected in the workplace.
