City Council President Hires Lawyer to Investigate Allegations Against City Clerk

City Council President Hires Lawyer to Investigate Allegations Against City Clerk

Providence City Council John Igliozzi has hired a top-flight labor attorney to investigate allegations made by multiple members of the Providence City Clerk’s office against the sitting clerk Shawn Selleck.

Allegations of “Toxic Work Environment”

Igliozzi, in a memo acquired by GoLocal, wrote, “Shortly after l was elected Council President; it came to my attention that there was a long-standing personnel matter within the Office of the City Clerk that preceded my presidency.

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Subsequently, three female staff members, who are subordinates to Mr. Selleck requested a meeting to discuss the work environment of that office. During that meeting they presented allegations against Mr. Selleck including, but not limited to the alleged toxic work environment (condescending and dismissive behavior)...and alleged inappropriate management style.”

According to the memo, the Council has engaged Carly Iafrate to investigate the complaints, “Per the City Solicitor's office, the Supreme Court has issued a temporary back-to-work order for Mr. Selleck until the future hearings are held. The services of Carly Iafrate, Esq. have been retained to conduct an independent investigation into the allegations. Upon completion of her review, Ms. Iafrate will issue a report on her findings.”

Igliozzi concludes, “Upon the conclusion of the findings, any and all disciplinary action may be taken, including, but not limited td, additional training, suspension, termination and/or a Section 403 hearing."

Iafrate gets paid $225 an hour -- and a maximum of $15,000. The contract was approved by the Board of Contract and Supply.

Selleck did not respond to request for comment at time of publication.