HR manager on leave after report reveals abuse of power

“The department then contacted (the Department of Human Resources) to terminate the girl,” the report said. “The girl was not fired; instead, (the Department of Human Resources) opened an investigation into the supervisor.

When asked to comment on the findings, a spokesperson for the mayor’s office said Smith had been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of another internal investigation into the allegations, and that additional action against d other employees could be taken.

“We have entrusted the matter to municipal justice for an independent investigation,” said the mayor’s office. “As the report indicates, several employees were not interviewed and we want to ensure we have a full review of the facts.”

The inspector general’s report states that Smith’s daughter was fast-tracked through the hiring process, skipped background check steps, did not meet required qualifications, and listed false information about her education and its use in the application documents.

Employees interviewed during the investigation said they questioned the girl’s qualifications and were concerned when they discovered the position in the city attorney’s office had been created for the daughter of Smith.

When the girl’s supervisor, Jennifer Johnson, an attorney and director of city administration, did not allow her to work remotely during the four-week training period, the report says “the girl disengaged of his work and was late and absentee.

Johnson then attempted to fire Smith’s daughter for “job abandonment,” but was instead placed on administrative leave and was nearly fired herself.

“Nepotism and retaliation have no place in Atlanta city government,” Inspector General Shannon K. Manigault said in a statement about the report.

The investigation revealed greater concerns about Smith’s “lack of professionalism.”

One former employee “said the (Department of Human Resources) commissioner was inaccessible and established a ‘kiss in the ring’ culture in (the department) where employees had to show deference to the commissioner in order to get favors.

The inspector general’s office also detailed the Department of Human Resources’ reluctance during the investigation, saying the department withheld requested records during the investigation and was unable to interview other employees throughout the investigation.

In response, the mayor’s office is also asking the city’s Law Department to develop recommendations and update the city’s policies regarding family members “to ensure that there is no conflict interests in the execution of tasks.

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Credit: Miguel Martínez

Credit: Miguel Martínez