6 days ago
Sunnyside city manager on leave after harassment complaint against councilwoman
Sunnyside City Manager Mike Gonzalez was placed on a 30-day paid administrative leave while the city conducts an internal investigation into an escalating feud with a city council member.
Gonzalez was the economic development manager in Pasco from June 2021-March 2023 before leaving to become Franklin County administrator. He led the county for about a year before leaving during a criminal investigation of elected officials.
The Sunnyside City Council met in a study session on June 2 and voted 5-2 to place Gonzalez on leave.
The decision seemed to be related to a dispute with Councilwoman Theresa Hancock, who has been accused of harassment by Gonzalez and at least one other city staff member.
'This has been a witch hunt from the very beginning. And it's been orchestrated by Councilwoman (Theresa) Hancock,' Gonzalez told the council.
The contentious public meeting saw several community members levy accusations of racism, leading to Mayor Dean Broersma nearly recessing the meeting. Many raised concerns about Hancock's past behavior, while several others defended her.
According to the Sunnyside Sun, Gonzalez filed a human resources complaint against Councilwoman Theresa Hancock on May 11, accusing her of harassment and creating a hostile work environment.
Hancock served on Sunnyside City Council from 2005-2017 and was reappointed in March.
In Gonzalez's complaint, he detailed a series of alleged incidents since Hancock's appointment, including accusations of harassment, surveillance, undermining administrative procedures, hostility during meetings, disruption of city operations and defamation.
The complaint came a few weeks before Irving Brown Sr., Sunnyside's human resources manager, filed a protection order against Councilwoman Theresa Hancock, accusing her of harassment and racism.
Brown told the Tri-City Herald last week that Hancock has been targeting him and Gonzalez and wants them both fired. He reports that there is video footage of Hancock outside Sunnyside City Hall behaving in a threatening manner.
Brown was a Pasco council member in July 2022. He started working for Sunnyside in February. He lives in Pasco and is the president of NAACP Tri-Cities.
Fire Chief Cameron Haubrich will serve as acting city manager. The Sunnyside City Council will appoint an interim city manager during a special meeting on Wednesday at 6 p.m.
