Anchorage municipal employees accuse Mayor Dave Bronson’s government of monitoring who visits the city’s Ombudsman’s Office. According to a memo that Ombudsman Darrel Hesses sent to the mayor and Anchorage Assembly chair on Thursday, this is what they said.
Hess stated in that several employees had contacted him, alleging that “an executive from the Municipality had said that the Mayor’s Office has been downloading copies City Hall surveillance videos to check who is accessing Ombudsman office and interfacing with Assembly members.”
Independent office, the ombudsman, is charged with investigating the actions of the Municipality or the Anchorage School district. The first floor houses both the Assembly and the offices of the Ombudsman.
These allegations are made a week after Amy Demboski, former Municipal Manager, was fired by Bronson. in a letter sent by her attorney to city leaders, claimed that Bronson committed numerous illegal and ethical actions . Demboski stated that she also submitted complaints to the ombudsman about some of her concerns.
According to Hess’s memo, several employees expressed concern that they would be unable to access the Ombudsman’s Office. According to the memo, they also claimed that the unnamed city executive’s alleged statement about downloading surveillance video was an attempt to intimidate them into not contacting the Ombudsman’s Office.
Bronson spokesperson Corey Allen Young stated that the mayor’s office is investigating the concerns raised in the memo.
Young stated in a statement that “Mayor Bronson takes the allegations very seriously.” “The administration is investigating the allegations.”
He described the allegations as “serious and chilling allegations” even though no videos were pulled.
He wrote that he believed there was a breach of duty, misconduct or illegal activity due to the gravity of the allegations and the statements of several Municipal employees.
He said that he felt obliged to refer the matter the municipal prosecutor’s to determine if there were any violations of laws.
Assembly members will meet in executive session on Thursday and Friday to discuss legal options to address the allegations made against Demboski.
