Borowsky demands answers from city manager over aide's suspension
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Scottsdale Mayor Lisa Borowsky. Photo: Jeremy Duda/Axios
Scottsdale Mayor Lisa Borowsky is demanding answers from city manager Greg Caton in the wake of her chief of staff's suspension amid an investigation into possible violations of city policy.
Why it matters: The dispute between Borowsky and Caton escalates the infighting and controversy that has characterized Scottsdale City Hall over the past year.
Catch up quick: City officials on Jan. 14 placed R. Lamar Whitmer, Borowsky's chief of staff, on paid, non-disciplinary suspension, according to a statement from the city. The allegations against him haven't been publicly disclosed.
The latest: At a press conference at Scottsdale City Hall on Wednesday, Borowsky called on Caton to disclose the allegations against Whitmer, whom she said answers to her.
- The mayor said she doesn't know what the allegations are, but after speaking with Whitmer, she said, "No wrongdoing is the conclusion."
- She called the investigation and suspension "a blatant attempt by the city manager to undercut my office and thwart my effort to have citizens and stakeholders involved at city hall."
- Borowsky also said she's considering calling for Caton's resignation, but, "in fairness, I'd like to get to the bottom of what's happening."
Dennis Wilenchik, an attorney for Whitmer, told Axios he seconded Borowsky's call for answers and said it's "absurd" that he hasn't been told the reason for his suspension.
The other side: In a statement last Friday, city communications director Holly Peralta said, "Any claim that this was a political hit is false."
- "This is a workplace matter that required city leadership to act," per a statement from Peralta on Tuesday.
- Peralta said the mayor's chief of staff is supervised by the city manager, while Borowsky said he reports directly to her.
- Peralta told Axios on Wednesday that the city will not comment further on the active personnel investigation to protect its integrity and ensure fairness.
Catch up quick: Scottsdale City Hall for the past year has been roiled by political discord, often pitting Borowsky against a majority faction of the City Council.
- The council moved to reassign two staffers who worked under the mayor — scuttling her plan to hire former Phoenix City Council member Sal DiCiccio — but later reversed course.
- Borowsky faced criticism over attempts to delay a contract for an Old Town parking garage.
- The Maricopa County Attorney's Office examined an informal complaint against Borowsky but declined to open an investigation.
- The council removed the mayor's authority to set council meeting times, places and agendas, and required her to notify the council if she planned to be absent for more than three days.
Zoom in: Asked by reporters whether the Whitmer incident was connected with her fights with the council, Borowsky said she didn't know and didn't want to speculate, but noted that it was "the third or fourth swipe at undercutting my staff" and said, "It all seems very mysterious and therefore suspicious."
What's next: Borowsky will deliver her State of the City address Thursday morning.