DiMauro and Reed Accuse Mayor and City Attorney of Further Harassment and Discrimination in Amended Complaints

Two city employees who have filed formal grievances against the city, specifically the mayor and the city attorney's office which also doubles as the city Human Resource department, have amended those grievances to record what they see as increased and intentional harassment and intimidation in retribution for their original complaints.

Reed Claims Retaliation

Linda Reed, the clerk of the Common Council, filed her original grievance at the end of February.  In March, she applied for position of Deputy Director of Planning, Conservation and Development.  She writes that she was "among the most-qualified candidates evidenced by about 40 years of professional experience."  Reed says that she withdrew from consideration for the position as a result of "explicit and implicit" intimidation by Mayor Daniel Drew and HR Director Tolkarz.

Reed also accuses the mayor of intimidation and retaliation by calling a formal meeting to discuss "potential discipline action" against Reed.  According to Reed's complaint, the mayor attempted to solicit a report from HR director Faith Jackson pertaining to complaints about Reed.  According to Reed, Jackson indicated there were no complaints, and refused to issue a report to the mayor.  She also reports in her amended complaint, that despite any notification of complaint, the Mayor conferred a "disciplinary consultation" on April 3.

In addition, Reed claims that the mayor, and deputy mayor Robert Santangelo, both met with her and declared that they were her immediate supervisors and not the Common Council.  Reed indicates in her amended complaint that when she was hired she was told by HR director Tolkarz that she would report directly to the Common Council.  Reed claims that the new reporting structure makes it impossible for her to be completely responsive to the needs of the Council.





DiMauro Accuses Mayor and City Attorney's Office of Retaliation and Hostility

Michelle DiMauro, Human Resources Director for the Board of Education issued an original grievance complaining that a job evaluation conducted by the city failed to properly recognize her duties and responsibilities, and as a result did not provide her the appropriate upgrade in pay and grade level.

DiMauro accuses Deputy General Counsel Kori Wisneski  and HR Director Tolkarz of contacting school superintendent Michael Conner with false accusations in an attempt to embarrass and "undermine my professional standing and ability."  According to DiMauro, Wisneski questioned a properly filed grievance, and Tolkarz complained about a case of "missing paperwork" that had been resolved months previously.

DiMauro also claims that the city attorney's office, which supervises Middletown Risk Manager

Nancy Conaway-Raczka, was responsible for the Risk Manager's office demanding, in retaliation, that DiMauro, and her staff, handle ACA (Affordable Car Act) and tax filings previously handled solely by the Risk Manager's office.  In her complaint, DiMauro claims that the Risk Manager attempted to shift responsibility of ACA filings to DiMauro, asked DiMauro to sign a "make-shift and hastily created document" accepting responsibility, and then complained to Superintendent Conner who was forced to defend "my office's repution to the Deputy General Counsel Kori Wisneski."

Finally, DiMauro indicates in her amended complaint that the original charges of discrimination due to gender bias still stand because her grade level and pay upgrade have not been implemented despite a decision by City Equal Opportunity and Diversity Director Faith Jackson to implement.  DiMauro accuses the city of attempting to discredit Jackson's decision.  DiMauro also accuses General Counsel Brig Smith of campaign to smear her reputation.

DiMauro's complaint indicates that the original perception of discriminatory action appears to be based on gender, and with a favorable relationship to the mayor.

DiMauro has requested that the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities investigate her complaint.