DOI: Board of Elections executive harassed Michael Ryan two top-level female employees
The report says Michael Ryan made racist and sexual remarks to two top-level female minority employees.
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A report released by the Department of Investigation on Wednesday revealed Board of Elections executive director Michael Ryan revealed he sexually and racially harassed two female employees.
The report called his actions "unwelcome behavior," which resulted in the resignation of one of the victims.
The DOI claims it informed the BOE that Ryan's actions were grounds for termination or resignation. The BOE, comprised of 10 commissioners, disregarded the guidance.
Ryan was suspended for three weeks, guided to take a sensitivity training and placed on one-year probation.
The four-month probe found Ryan's behavior was sexual in nature, claimed he was suggestive and spoke about his female employee's appearance. It also revealed he made offensive comments about the victim's race.
The victim resigned from the BOE.
Amidst the investigation, a second victim stepped forward, citing several incidents regarding racial and gender-based commentary. The report called them "unwanted, unwelcome and offensive."
The DOI's commissioner Jocelyn Strauber stated, "DOI found the BOE's Equal Employment Opportunity policies and procedures seriously deficient... DOI has made six recommendations to strengthen BOE's EEO program and to provide more robust protections for its employees."
