SPOKANE — The mayor of Spokane asked a retired federal judge on Monday to investigate the city’s handling of complaints against the former police chief after the administration was accused of keeping sexual harassment allegations secret until the mayor was re-elected.
Mayor David Condon said former U.S. District Court Judge Michael Hogan will immediately begin his independent investigation. He will look at what led the city to transfer former police spokeswoman Monique Cotton after she accused police Chief Frank Straub of sexually harassing and berating her.
“Personnel matters are sensitive and present unique challenges,” the mayor said in a press release. “Part of making sure employees are treated fairly and appropriately is learning where we can improve and where there may be gaps.”
The retired judge also will examine other complaints against Straub from subordinates. Separately, he will review the city’s public records process, Condon’s office said.
Straub, who was hand-picked by the mayor to be chief, was forced to resign in September. He has filed a $4 million claim against the city, saying it violated his due process rights related to his removal.
Condon said at the time that he wanted to move in a new direction after receiving a letter from the police Lieutenants and Captains Association detailing “unprofessional and even hostile behavior” that made Straub an ineffective chief.
Since then, the accusations of sexual harassment have emerged. Some City Council members complained that the mayor’s office kept the allegations, first raised in April, a secret until after the Nov. 3 election to avoid it becoming a campaign issue for Condon.
The mayor has denied any political motivations for his actions, saying Cotton, the former police spokeswoman, wanted to keep the allegations quiet and did not pursue a formal complaint.
“We are always going to offer our employees a safe place to air their concerns without bringing extra attention that may discourage them from coming forward,” Condon said last week.
Cotton reported in April that the police chief had grabbed her and tried to kiss her. Shortly after, she was given a $9,000 pay raise and transferred to a new job she requested in the parks department. The sexual harassment allegations were not publicly revealed until this month.
Days after Condon won re-election, the public records office also released text messages between Straub, Cotton and others.
In one text sent in 2013, the police chief wrote to Cotton: “See you soon. Love you. You are an awesome partner and best friend. You always will be!”
Ben Stuckart, the City Council president, has suggested that the delay in releasing the records was a political move, intended to help Condon become the first Spokane mayor to win re-election in decades.
Stuckart is considering a City Council investigation into the actions by Condon and members of his administration.
No timetable was set for the judge to conclude his investigation. Hogan previously brokered a settlement in the civil case brought against the city by the family of Otto Zehm, who died after a confrontation with police.
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