The Reno City Council held a special meeting Tuesday afternoon to consider approving an additional $100,000 to investigate allegations of sexual harassment against City Manager Andrew Clinger.
On August 4th the City approved a $50,000 towards the hiring of outside counsel to investigate claims against City Manager Andrew Clinger who is accused of sexually harassing three women. Kamer Zucker Abbott was then hired to manage the investigation.
Clinger maintains his innocence and is fully cooperating with the independent council’s investigation. "I'm innocent, in regards to these allegations, and I think this should be an open and public process," Clinger said. In a previous statement he said that charges that he committed sexual harassment are "utterly ridiculous."
Clinger says that he was found innocent in an initial investigation and understands that this hiring of outside council is to “review that process and make sure that it was done fairly". That initial investigation was conducted by the City Attorney's office, with the help of an outside investigator. The complainants' attorney, Bill Peterson, says the process was not done fairly, partly because the city council did not participate in the investigation.
Clinger went on voluntary leave on August 8th and has since extended the planned 15 business day absence through September 9, 2016. It is is unknown if Clinger will return on Friday or extend his leave again.
On Tuesday, September 6th a special meeting was held to consider an additional $100,000 in total be allocated to the investigation. Reno City Attorney Karl Hall said that a maximum of $50,000 could be used for additional work by a law firm to investigate the alleged misconduct. The additional $50,000 requested would be used to hire an independent investigator to look into allegations that Clinger retaliated after learning that harassment charges had been filed. Hall recommended that the council approve both of these items and both of these items passed unanimously.
Hall says the investigation is expected to wrap up around mid-October and the council can decide at that time their plan for Clinger.
Hall also spoke to the alleged document theft reported recently. He says that a city employee reported that documents on her desk were stolen, but it hasn't been confirmed if the documents are definitively connected to Clinger case. The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the reported theft.
In Clinger’s absence, Assistant City Manager Bill Thomas will serve as Acting City Manager.
Below is Clinger’s email to employees, announcing his voluntary absence:
Fellow Employees,
The health and vibrancy of our organization and our community are among my highest priorities. Effective today, I will be on voluntary leave for the next 15 days to ensure the important business of the city continues without interruption or distraction. In my absence, I have designated Bill Thomas to act in my place as City Manager. I have no doubt Bill will do an outstanding job.
All of you are dedicated and hardworking individuals who not only care a great deal about this organization, but the community as a whole.
Thank you for your continued service and dedication to the citizens of Reno.
Respectfully,
Andrew
Clinger released this full statement regarding the allegations:
"These allegations are utterly ridiculous. I am not going to sit back and let people attack my character or attempt to ruin my reputation with outright lies. So, today (July 30) I am asking the City to immediately call a public meeting in order to bring these allegations, as well as the results of the independent investigation, into full public view.
"It is important to note the City Attorney told me personally the investigation his office initiated, and which was conducted by an impartial, independent law firm, concluded nothing happened and the allegations against me were baseless. Therefore, today I am also asking the City Attorney to immediately release all of the documents and information gathered during their investigation. I expect the privacy of those who filed these complaints to be protected, but want my right to due process to be protected as well.
"I have nothing to hide, so I welcome a thorough public vetting of this matter. The taxpayers funded this investigation, so they have a right to see every word of it.”
Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve released this statement:
“I take these allegations very seriously, and I believe they must be investigated thoroughly and promptly for the sake of everyone involved. I have always said I believe in transparency, and I continue to be committed to that. So I will be calling a special meeting of the council to discuss this issue. I plan to propose an independent counsel to investigate these allegations. I caution everyone that people's reputations are at stake here. So until the special meeting of the council is convened, I will not comment further so as not to influence the investigation and I urge others to do the same.”
(The City of Reno contributed to this report.)
