Detroit City Councilwoman Mary Waters has fired her community liaison, Reggie Davis, after an investigation revealed that he and former council president Charles Pugh posed as incoming staff for the Ombudsman's Office while Davis was seeking a $197,000-a-year job.
The investigation found that Davis had identified himself as part of the incoming team during two phone calls and a video meeting with WingSwept, a contractor that supplies software to the Ombudsman's Office. Pugh was also present in at least one call and introduced himself as Davis' chief of staff. The contractor initially believed they were part of the incoming staff but eventually ceased communications after being instructed by the actual Ombudsman's office.
The Ombudsman's Office is an independent entity that investigates complaints about Detroit city services and employee conduct. Davis was among ten finalists for a position in the office, which requires approval from two-thirds of the City Council.
Davis' attorney claimed that his client had sought only publicly available information and had described himself as part of the incoming team "imprecisely." However, the Office of Inspector General found that Davis had abused his position by using his title to improperly access information and presented himself falsely as part of the incoming team.
This scandal has raised concerns about the integrity of Detroit City Council and its staff. Reggie Davis has a history of controversy, having been accused of harassing two women who later secured personal protection orders against him. Charles Pugh is a convicted sex offender who served more than five years in prison on child sex-crime convictions.
The investigation found that Davis had identified himself as part of the incoming team during two phone calls and a video meeting with WingSwept, a contractor that supplies software to the Ombudsman's Office. Pugh was also present in at least one call and introduced himself as Davis' chief of staff. The contractor initially believed they were part of the incoming staff but eventually ceased communications after being instructed by the actual Ombudsman's office.
The Ombudsman's Office is an independent entity that investigates complaints about Detroit city services and employee conduct. Davis was among ten finalists for a position in the office, which requires approval from two-thirds of the City Council.
Davis' attorney claimed that his client had sought only publicly available information and had described himself as part of the incoming team "imprecisely." However, the Office of Inspector General found that Davis had abused his position by using his title to improperly access information and presented himself falsely as part of the incoming team.
This scandal has raised concerns about the integrity of Detroit City Council and its staff. Reggie Davis has a history of controversy, having been accused of harassing two women who later secured personal protection orders against him. Charles Pugh is a convicted sex offender who served more than five years in prison on child sex-crime convictions.