Only in an election year would a lover's spat turn into a political hit job

Boston Globe

22-05-2025

So why is Idowu's name even out there?
Advertisement
If you ask me, it feels like a political hit job.
Well, Huang worked in the city department Idowu runs, though he did not report directly to Idowu. According to the police report, Huang confronted Khudaynazar, accusing her of going 'on a date with my boss.'
Get Starting Point
A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday.
Enter Email
Sign Up
Segun Idowu, the city's chief of economic opportunity and inclusion, has drawn fire from critics of Mayor Michelle Wu for his alleged role in a domestic dispute between two City Hall staffers.
Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff
Here's what really happened, according to people who've talked to Idowu. It's true Khudaynazar and Idowu were out together one night last week at Hue, a Back Bay restaurant-lounge. But they were not out on a date; Idowu is a regular at Hue, and they ran into each other. There was friendly social banter, but not much more than that, according to people briefed by Idowu.
Advertisement
Thirty-six and single,
Idowu eats out about five nights a week, sometimes alone, at a rotation of Boston restaurants where he holds 'office hours' to give people a chance to talk to him about the city, according to Imari Paris Jeffries, a longtime friend and Boston nonprofit leader.
When
'He's such a square guy,' said Jeffries.
That's my impression of Idowu too. He's always in a suit and tie. I first got to know him as the
president of the
Jeffries is speaking out to defend Idowu and tamp down on the innuendo that has the city rumor mill running amok.
'I know that it's not rooted in any truth,' said Jeffries. 'It's rooted in political motivation trying to advance a story or an agenda.'
A letter in support of Idowu is also making the rounds. It has already been signed by Black leaders including John Barros, Herby Duverné, Malia Lazu, Colette Phillips, Richard Taylor, and Teri Williams.
'As Black business leaders, we stand firmly with Mayor Wu and Chief Idowu. We urge all leaders — public and private — to remain focused on progress, not division,' they wrote. 'At a time when equity is under attack across the country, we must protect and uplift those doing the work to ensure Boston is a city where everyone can thrive."
Advertisement
Here's another reason why the political knives are out for Idowu. He's a
potential future mayoral candidate
himself.
City Councilor Ed Flynn, left, has called for a full investigation into a domestic incident involving two City Hall staffers last week.
Pat Greenhouse/Globe Staff
So is it any surprise that the first shots came from City Councilor Ed Flynn, who himself harbors
Flynn went on
I called Flynn to question his motivation, and he said his intentions are pure. He said he's concerned about workplace culture at City Hall and called on the mayor to conduct an independent investigation.
'This incident where two people were recently fired represented a toxic work environment through many city departments,' Flynn said. 'I realize this is very controversial. I do believe I have the obligation to address difficult issues. The last thing on my mind is politics.'
On Tuesday morning, the city issued a statement saying that after completing an internal review, that two
That means Idowu was cleared of any impropriety. The city's code of conduct does not prohibit employees from dating one another, though employees must ensure their actions do not pose conflicts of interest such as a supervisor being in a romantic relationship with a direct subordinate.
Advertisement
Idowu and Khudaynazar did not work together. And even
if the two were out on a date, how do we know Idowu knew she was in a relationship with Huang?
Based on what I know, I don't see an ethics violation here. At most, it is a case of poor judgement on Idowu's part, not a fireable offense.
Another thing I know is that salacious details in the police report have imaginations on overdrive,
which may be what Wu's political opponents are after.
According to the police report, Khudaynazar called 911 after Huang allegedly took her phone and car keys. Huang had confronted Khudaynazar accusing her of cheating on him with his boss and told police 'they booked a hotel room and she came here to rub it in my face.'
Chulan Huang, center, was a neighborhood liason for Chinatown until he was fired this week in the wake of a domestic dispute with another City Hall staffer.
Josh Reynolds for The Boston Globe
When cops arrived at 2 a.m. at Huang's apartment, they found Khudaynazar drunk and
slurring her words. They also found bite marks all over Huang. Khudaynazar alleges that Huang restrained her wrists so she bit him in self defense. When the cops told Khudaynazar to leave Huang's Chinatown apartment, she refused and hit a police officer.
It's an ugly quarrel for two young lovers who, yes, both work at City Hall. But is this a
I don't think so. Trust me, no one would be calling for one
Shirley Leung is a Business columnist. She can be reached at