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Investigation points finger in Chardon leak
(by Joseph Koziol Jr. - October 14, 2009)
Investigation points finger in Chardon leak
By JOSEPH KOZIOL JR.
Chardon City Council voted 4-3 last week to move forward with an ethics review over a possible leak of confidential information from a closed-door meeting.
The majority of council agreed to refer the matter to the board of ethics review, a three-member citizens committee established last year. Voting against the referral were council members Deborah Reiter, Jefferey Campbell Jr. and Mary Bramstedt.
Councilman Philip King said he hopes council will have a recommendation from the committee by council's meeting in November.
The referral came after council members heard a report by Richard Wrenn, an investigator with Cleveland-based International Research Group. The firm was hired by the city to sort out the facts after allegations were made that a city employees' union representative had obtained privileged information about labor negotiations.
The firm's report, which is projected to cost just over $25,000, named Mrs. Bramstedt and city worker Andy Bartholomew in connection with the incident. According to the report, several meetings occurred, and cash payments were made.
Council members opposing the referral cited reasons for doing so.
Mrs. Reiter said she believes the investigation was tainted from the beginning. She said a reference made at the start of the investigation noted that "one of three" council members had provided the union official with confidential information. That reference, she said, left a "cloud hanging over the three of us."
She referred to herself, Mr. Campbell and Mrs. Bramstedt, who have formed a voting block on certain issues.
Chardon Law Director James Gillette said the reference was not made by any city administrator or council member. He said it was used by the union's representative, Mark Davis.
Councilman Philip King said the report actually vindicates Mrs. Reiter.
Mrs. Bramstedt said the report unfairly points to her. "There's some flaws here that made me feel right away this is a house of cards -- this investigation." She called the report "completely unfounded."
"The one thing that disturbed me the most was this individual called me a liar," she said, referring Mr. Wrenn.
She denied any involvement in the incident. She said she did not have the means to make payments to anyone. She said she does not like unions or understand the jargon used during labor negotiations. "No, I did not say anything about the negotiation," she said. "I didn't do this."
Mr. Campbell also read from a prepared statement, saying he hopes council would drop the matter and move onto more important issues. "I implore you to put this unfortunate event behind us and move forward to work together on issues that matter to our residents," he said.
"When we first discussed this investigation, I was concerned nothing positive would come out of it," Mr. Campbell said. "Sitting here today, I can say without reservation that I was right. We ended up wasting over $25,000 for an inconclusive report that does not prove that a member of this council was responsible for any leak."
He said the ethics board was meant to create an atmosphere of mutual respect and positive work environment but has instead created disrespect. "In addition, the reputation of our great city has been tarnished," Mr. Campbell said.
Mayor Karen Simpson called on residents to read the report to get their own view on the matter. "I think it speaks for itself," she said.
Mr. King said after the meeting that the report clearly lays out evidence that a leak occurred and possibly how it occurred. "The only thing it lacks is, 'I did it' or 'they did it,'" he said.
Mr. King said the ethics board even might expand its inquiry to determine whether other council members were aware that one member's involvement in the leak.
He said there may be further ramifications at the state level. He said the union representative's disclosure that he had obtained confidential information might have constituted unfair labor practices.
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