Did Manatee County handle harassment complaint properly? Local watchdog investigates
Manatee County’s Inspector General has opened an investigation into events surrounding the sexual harassment claim filed against Mitchell Teitelbaum in December.
A Manatee County employee filed a sexual harassment complaint accusing Teitelbaum, who had been appointed deputy county administrator, of touching the employee in a way that made them feel uncomfortable.
Teitelbaum has denied the accusation. In January, he asked the Manatee Board of County Commissioners for an independent investigation into the matter, but the board declined, arguing that since he declined the job he is not owed an investigation.
“If (Teitelbaum) had chosen to take the position, he would have been afforded the opportunity to have any type of due process,” Commissioner Amanda Ballard said at the time. “Because he chose to withdraw himself from the process, he’s not entitled to an investigation of the accusation.”
Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge was the only board member in favor of an investigation, predicting that “an inquiry is likely to reveal things that are not pretty.”
The allegation left Teitelbaum’s employment status in limbo for about a month. The School District of Manatee County placed Teitelbaum on paid administrative leave in December before reinstating him to his position as general counsel in January. Teitelbaum also received a letter of reprimand from the district.
Manatee watchdog opens investigation
Speaking with the Bradenton Herald on Wednesday afternoon, Teitelbaum confirmed that he filed the complaint with the Division of the Inspector General on Jan. 10 after the county declined to investigate.
The Division of Inspector General serves as Manatee County’s watchdog, investigating complaints of fraud, abuse and employee misconduct.
According to a Jan. 24 memorandum letter sent to commissioners, the Division of Inspector General said it retained a labor law attorney to conduct its own investigation into “the handling of a workplace complaint” made to the county’s Human Resources Department in early December 2022.
“The scope of the investigation will be limited to determining whether proper policies, procedures, rules, and/or laws were followed by County employees during the complaint and investigation process,” Inspector General Lori Stephens wrote.
Reached for comment Wednesday afternoon, Teitelbaum said he looks forward to the results of the investigation.
“There is absolutely no merit to the false complaint against me,” said Teitelbaum. “I am glad that the office of the Inspector General is looking into this matter and will fully cooperate with any and all investigations that will clear my name.”
The Division of the Inspector General is expected to release the results of its investigation in the coming weeks.
