LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Mayor Craig Greenberg’s former deputy chief of staff is seeking an investigation into “potential patterns of discrimination” of race, gender and age in the administration.
Keisha Dorsey, a former Democratic Metro Council member who led a task force on equity in city contracting under Greenberg, cited concerns involving more than 30 public employees and elected officials in a complaint over workplace conduct.
The complaint, which Dorsey provided to WDRB News, says there appears to be a “disproportionate impact” on minority and African-American leaders in the Greenberg administration and a pattern of women leaders being replaced by men.
Additionally, the complaint raises questions about younger workers facing “undue challenges in the workplace” and possible violations of federal laws governing family and medical leave and disability accommodations.
“We believe these allegations warrant a closer examination to determine if they represent isolated incidents or a systemic issue within the administration,” according to the complaint submitted by a group called Women on the Watch United. Dorsey confirmed to WDRB she authored the complaint.
The complaint asks for an investigation of hiring, promotion and firing practices; a review of the Greenberg administration’s workplace culture; an analysis of decision making in leadership changes; and a review of how the administration follows the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Three examples in the complaint suggest possible violations of those federal protections.
Greenberg, who named Dorsey to the deputy chief of staff position after winning election in late 2022, defended the diversity in his administration in remarks with reporters Thursday morning.
“I'm incredibly proud of the diverse team that we have at Louisville Metro Government, the diverse team that we have in the mayor's office, the diverse team that we have across the departments people of all races, genders, ages, experiences, working together to make our city safer, stronger and healthier,” Greenberg said.
Deputy Mayor David James said Wednesday night that Dorsey was no longer in Metro government, although she told WDRB she had not been notified.
Dorsey filed a separate complaint this week regarding a letter she received Monday from James, who described her communications with a Metro Council member as “serious misconduct.”
Keisha Dorsey, former Deputy Chief of Staff to Mayor Craig Greenberg (WDRB photo)
At issue, according to her complaint, is a discussion she had with Council member Jeff Hudson (R-23rd District) “on exploring potential avenues to support veterans in Louisville” on issues like homelessness and mental health.
James reprimanded Dorsey in the letter for not notifying her supervisor or other officials of the lobbying effort and concealing the discussions from Greenberg and the administration. He called her actions “deceitful, unethical, and unprofessional.”
Dorsey claims in her complaint that she was speaking to Hudson as a private citizen and took “meticulous care” to avoid a conflict of interest and was not speaking on behalf of the administration. She also claims no specific legislation was discussed.
Among other things, her complaint seeks an ethics commission investigation into James’ actions, including whether he defamed her, abused his power or violated ethics rules. She also wants a ruling on whether she broke any ethics rules.
Hudson declined to comment on his interaction with Dorsey. “Since she has filed an ethics complaint, I feel like that needs to run its course before I comment on it,” he said Thursday.
Both complaints were submitted through the city’s EthicsPoint portal, which is hosted by a third-party provider and is separate from the Louisville Metro Ethics Commission. Greenberg spokesman Kevin Trager said the documents will be forwarded to the city’s internal audit department and then to the ethics commission for action.
Dorsey has agreed to an interview with WDRB on Friday.
The broader complaint is seeking a formal investigation into 33 cases “to determine if they represent isolated incidents or a systemic issue within the administration.”
They include the alleged forced resignation of Vanessa Burns, who led the city’s public works department under former Mayor Greg Fischer. The complaint alleges racial and gender discrimination in her departure.
Other cases involve alleged gender discrimination in the “forced resignation” of former Louisville police chief Erika Shields and alleged racial and gender discrimination against ex-LMPD Chief Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel, who was Greenberg’s first appointment as chief.
Also named as possible victims of discrimination cases are former TARC director Carrie Butler, who was allegedly replaced by a “white male who was a former LMPD colleague” of James; Lisa Osanka, the former executive director of the Louisville Metro Housing Authority; and longtime former city planner Emily Liu.
Metro Council member Tammy Hawkins (D-1st) is named as someone who may have faced obstruction because she “has been vocal about holding the mayoral administration accountable for various issues, including public housing concerns and unfulfilled promises.”
Asked about the specific claims on Thursday, Hawkins would only say: “Minority women do have more challenges in politics in general.”
She also said the priorities of Metro Council members don’t always align with those of the Greenberg administration.
The complaint references the termination of Terri Hathaway, former administrator of Metro government’s small business and commercial property loan program, alleging that she was fired for “calling out” the creation of a new “white male-led” economic development corporation.
Hathaway has filed an ethics complaint against Greenberg and top economic development staffers, accusing them of violating city ethics and personnel rules in creating the new entity.
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