No big surprises in the Office of Equal Opportunity Programs report released today on Paul Cunningham’s behavior in San Diego while on a TREO-sponsored trip.
A few highlights:
“A total of fifteen witnesses were interviewed that had been identified as either having personal knowledge of, or had witnessed the comments made by Councilmember Cunningham of three female city staff members.”
“There were no reported allegations of inappropriate physical contact between the Councilmember and [the staff members that were engaged in “inappropriate, graphic and sexual” conversation by Cunningham].”
“Witnesses confirmed that the Councilmember had consumed large amounts of alcohol throughout the late afternoon during an earlier gathering and he continued drinking heavily during the evening events.”
“…two of the women stated in their interviews that they had experienced similar comments and behavior directed at them from the Councilmember on prior occasions during non-city sanctioned events….In both instances, the women reported that Councilmember Cunningham appeared to have been intoxicated.”
The report recommends that the Directive regarding Sexual Harassment be reviewed with all members of council office staffs and the councilmembers themselves, that training be conducted for council offices, that the Mayor and Council develop a Code of Ethics Policy, and that the City Manager require all City employees to be trained on an on-going basis regarding Sexual Harassment.
Cunningham’s statement:
I admit and take full responsibility for becoming intoxicated, acting unprofessionally and making inappropriate comments.
At this time, I continue to make amends to co-workers and constituents, participate in an alcohol treatment program, and perform the duties of my office to the best of my ability.
The report documents what I have already acknowledged; I made inappropriate comments that occurred at a bar after-hours. The incident was not during any formal part of the trip’s program. The incident did not involve physical contact or unwanted sexual advances.
I wish to thank all those family and friends in the community who have recently offered their love and support.
I believe that it is time to move forward with my personal and professional responsibilities and I will not comment further on this issue.
Here’s the whole report, if you’re interested in reading it:
CunninghamTREOTripReport070312.pdf
This article appears in Jul 5-11, 2012.
Ladies what were you doing drinking at 11:30 pm with a guy you say had peviously gave you unwanted attention? I think poor judgement isnt just limited to paul in this matter.
YEAH! and why are you wearin’ them high-heeled shoes and skirts that show yer legs, and don’t get me started wif dem panties and brazears.
fu wow, fu.
At least he owned it. Hopefully, he can get some help for his drinking issues.
Oh Allen it’s just common sense. FU really? These arent girls but women nobody said anything about how they dress. Just give me equal pay I already know how to handle my after hours time I dont need anyone to protect me from a harmless buffoon especially if I already know he is a buffoon.
Any-other employer would have “Fired” him.
Old Man, he wasn’t hired, he was elected, by a majority of voters in Tucson. That is why he won the election.
WOW blames the women!? They should have modified their behavior according to him by not staying out drinking in the bar. They should have just stayed in their rooms like good little girls. They should have taken action to avoid him by going elsewhere. They should have done this or that, so it is partly their fault. WOW, I think you seriously need to reevaluate your thoughts as to who should do what when confronted with a bully.
Listen lingo head I am a woman and I dont need your paternalistic advice on how to formulate my thoughts or putting words in my mouth either. It seems there was a bar full of people they could have spent their time with about 40 them I hear. I feel sorry for the 3rd woman who had no knowledge of prior behavior and found herself in the middle of this.