MONROE - Neither Mayor Ron Marsh nor City Administrator Mark Vahlsing will say whether the complaint by a former employee that she was sexually harassed and forced to quit her job by Vahlsing was the subject of a special closed meeting of the Monroe City Council on April 23.
Nor will they say whether it is the subject of another special closed meeting scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall.
In Tuesday's meeting, the council is scheduled to discuss "preliminary results from investigation of possible violations of city policies by employees and possibly authorize additional actions."
Sources have told the Times that either the city or Marsh has hired a private investigator to look into claims by former Confidential Administrative Assistant Janelle Bittner that she was sexually harassed by Vahlsing and forced to quit because she complained about it. Bittner filed a Discrimination Complaint on May 1 with the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development's Equal Rights Division.
Marsh told the Times his authority to hire a private investigation service is "inherent in the position of mayor to take action to protect the well-being of the citizens of Monroe."
Vahlsing would not comment on whether the city has hired a private investigator. Marsh would not comment on why the city or he had hired a private investigator or detective.
The Times last month filed a Freedom of Information Act request with City Clerk Carol Stamm for records of any contract the city entered into for private investigation services between Jan. 1 and April 30, 2008. It also requested records of any bills paid or bill received for private investigation services during the same period.
The city responded to the request by saying no records fit the description of the request.
Nor will they say whether it is the subject of another special closed meeting scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall.
In Tuesday's meeting, the council is scheduled to discuss "preliminary results from investigation of possible violations of city policies by employees and possibly authorize additional actions."
Sources have told the Times that either the city or Marsh has hired a private investigator to look into claims by former Confidential Administrative Assistant Janelle Bittner that she was sexually harassed by Vahlsing and forced to quit because she complained about it. Bittner filed a Discrimination Complaint on May 1 with the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development's Equal Rights Division.
Marsh told the Times his authority to hire a private investigation service is "inherent in the position of mayor to take action to protect the well-being of the citizens of Monroe."
Vahlsing would not comment on whether the city has hired a private investigator. Marsh would not comment on why the city or he had hired a private investigator or detective.
The Times last month filed a Freedom of Information Act request with City Clerk Carol Stamm for records of any contract the city entered into for private investigation services between Jan. 1 and April 30, 2008. It also requested records of any bills paid or bill received for private investigation services during the same period.
The city responded to the request by saying no records fit the description of the request.