Louisville mayor's deputy chief of staff ousted after reprimand, ethics complaint

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A top leader in Louisville's Mayor's office is off the job and she's not going down without a fight.

Deputy Chief of Staff Keisha Dorsey filed two ethics complaints against the city on claims of a hostile work environment and systemic discrimination.

Deputy Mayor David James confirmed Wednesday evening that Dorsey is "no longer with Metro Government."

Dorsey told WDRB she didn't quit, hasn't been notified about her termination and has been out of work under the Family Medical Leave Act.

Dorsey led the city's Equity in Procurement Task Force and helped Metro Government diversify the vendors and entrepreneurs it did business with.

According to personnel records obtained by WDRB, she was written up Monday and accused of lobbying a metro councilmember on a proposed ordinance.

The reprimand said her actions were "deceitful, unethical and unprofessional."

Dorsey responded by filing two ethics complaints.

One of them defends her conduct, saying the reprimand mischaracterized her actions and that she spoke to the councilman as a public citizen, not a public official.

The second one accused the Craig Greenberg administration of systematic discrimination based on race, gender and age.

It names dozens of women within city government who were removed from their jobs or reprimanded

Dorsey's departure comes weeks after the ousting of Louisville Metro Police Chief Jackie Gwinn Villaroel and days after the city separated with Joi McAtee the executive director of the Metro Louisville Office of Equity.

Dorsey, who is a former Metro Councilmember, is calling for an independent ethics investigation. She said she has also filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Justice related to violations of FMLA and ADA protections

The Office of Mayor Craig Greenberg released the following statement in response:

"The Mayor and his leadership team are committed to helping Metro employees succeed in the important work they do on behalf of the people of Louisville. Public service is a calling and most Metro employees are working tirelessly to help our city grow and succeed. At the same time, the Mayor and all Metro employees are stewards of taxpayer dollars and are expected to be professional and perform their work with integrity."

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