PARKERSBURG, W.Va. — Parkersburg City Council is attempting to judge its next move amid turmoil within city hall involving Mayor Bob Newell and a city worker.
Five employees of the city’s finance department have filed a lawsuit against the city. The plaintiffs claim sexual harassment and a hostile work environment which had directly resulted from an alleged affair between Newell and the city’s Finance Director Ashley Flowers.
City Council President J.R. Carpenter told MetroNews Thursday council members are in the dark as much as the public about the allegations being brought to light.
“We have not been apprised of anything,” Carpenter said. “There have been rumors, but as for anything concrete, no.”
However, Carpenter said the situation has put the council into a precarious situation.
“We’re looking at any way this could play out and having a plan in place to continue no matter what happens,” he said. “We’re hoping for some sort of speedy resolution so we know what avenue to take to insure the future financial picture for the City of Parkersburg.”
An ethics complaint has been filed against Newell with the state Ethics Commission. Captain A.L. Cummings of the West Virginia State Police told the Parkersburg News-Sentinel this week the investigation began earlier this month into “a thumb drive containing some personal information.” Cummings told the newspaper that currently “there’s nothing criminal, at least on behalf of the mayor” or any other employees. Newell indicated to the newspaper he was a victim in the case of the flash drive being released.
Council President Carpenter said Parkersburg City Council has a duty to craft the city’s next budget by March 28 and the process is muddied by the turmoil within the administration. Carpenter said they were trying to get the budget hammered out with or without the help of the mayor’s office.
“We’re looking at how we’re going to accomplish what we’re supposed to do to keep the city’s finances continuing and get the budget in on time,” he said. “The different scenarios is anybody’s guess.”