LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. — A senior staff member with the Lawrenceville Natural Gas Department was investigated earlier this year after he allegedly made homophobic and sexual comments toward employees.
The city confirmed to Channel 2 Action News that it launched an investigation into gas department director Todd Hardigree in January. The city released the internal report this week in response to Georgia open records request made by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
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According to the investigative report conducted by an independent law firm, Hardigree described the work environment as relaxed, and like a family, but admitted there was a lot of joking around in which he said was to help " lighten the mood.”
The report said Hardigree admitted to sexual comments, referring to male employees as “gay.” A witness said that Hardigree referred to a male employee as a “foot (homophobic slur) after he got a pedicure.
Several witnesses shared that Hardigree also told a female employee that she would make a good lesbian.
In the report, he said he does not recall making the comment and the employee to whom the comment was made stated she was not offended by it.
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Hardigree was also accused of making sexual comments to both men and women related to food. Hardigree asked one of the women if she wanted a “meat stick,” and then offered the woman a Slim Jim or beef jerky-type snack, the report alleged.
Hardigree acknowledged that he didn’t intend for his comments to be made sexual but understood why someone might perceive it that way.
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In a statement obtained by Channel 2, the city manager recommended a 7-day suspension without pay. According to an email, Hardigree acknowledged that his actions were inappropriate but requested that his discipline be reduced to three days.
In addition to the suspension, Hardigree was provided with a performance improvement plan as well as undergo harassment training.
The city said that Hardigree served his suspension in March and completed most of his plan.
“The City of Lawrenceville expects all employees, particularly its senior managers, to lead by example. Mr. Hardigree’s ongoing performance will continue to be monitored, and the potential exists for further disciplinary action, up to and including termination, if the recommendations in his PIP are not followed,” the city said in a statement.
This wasn’t the first time Hardigree was accused of making inappropriate comments to employees. According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, he received verbal counseling for similar comments in 2019.
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