EXCLUSIVE: Investigation Finds Harassment and Bullying in “Toxic Environment” in Prov City Hall

EXCLUSIVE: Investigation Finds Harassment and Bullying in “Toxic Environment” in Prov City Hall

 

GoLocal has secured a copy of an independent investigative report that finds repeated allegations of workplace bullying in the Providence City Council office. 

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The report conducted by an independent law firm found that "the evidence reflects that [City Clerk Shawn] Selleck has violated the City Code of Conduct (which includes an anti-bullying and anti-harassment policy) and the Workplace Violence Policy.”

In addition, the report states, “A toxic work environment presently exists in the Clerk’s Office and the issues recited herein need to be properly addressed by the City in order to avoid further harm to the employees.”

The report comes after GoLocal first reported in August that Providence City Council President John Igliozzi hired a top-flight labor attorney to investigate allegations made by multiple members of the Providence City Clerk’s office against Selleck.

 

 

Matos' Appointee and Under Her Watch

Selleck was appointed then-City Council President Sabina Matos.

One key city employee who refused to be interviewed for the investigation was Erin Rogel who served as Chief of Staff to Matos.

Matos, now-Rhode Island’s Lt. Governor, has refused to speak out about the allegations of abuse. Nearly all of the allegations of abuse took place under Matos’ tenure as Council President.

Matos appointed Selleck to a four-year term as Clerk in February of 2019.

The 77-page report finds a sweeping array of allegations of abuse by Selleck -- and that no actions were taken by Matos.

The report describes incidents where Selleck yelled at a city employee and refused to leave her office, despite the woman repeatedly telling Selleck she felt uncomfortable.

Selleck was offered the opportunity to be interviewed for the investigation but refused -- he submitted some written comment.

 

In another incident with the City’s Internal Auditor Gina Costa, the report states that regarding the preparation of a document for a City Council meeting, Selleck became angry because the document was not prepared correctly.

Costa told the investigator, “Selleck was so relentless," with the report continuing, "Following this incident, he continued to text her about it with regard to his insistence that the document be changed.”

“Since that incident, Costa only works through e-mail with him and she ‘won’t talk to him,'” states the report.

 

One employee interviewed, Donna Peligian, a stenographic reporter for the city council, expressed in her interview with the investigator that she thought the disputes were personal and that she believes that the first deputy clerk, Tina Mastroianna wants to be the city clerk.

The report in its conclusion found that the allegations were not politically motivated nor were they intended to elevate Mastrioinna to the position. 

According to the report, there were at least ten Providence city officials who were interviewed as well as a member of the Providence City Council, Michael Correia.

The report was conducted by attorney Carly Beauvais Iafrate - a well-known labor attorney in Rhode Island.