There is a tried, and very true saying about being careful for what you wish for, because you may receive it. As a business ethics motivational keynote speaker, business ethics consultant and book author, I can attest to the absolute truth of the old maxim. To prove my point. I would like to point out the recent investigation of Adelee Le Grand the CEO of the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART).
Under Investigation
Unfortunately, Ms. Le Grand is under investigation at the present time for a variety of “workplace mismanagement issues.” The original issues included high employee turnover and understaffing and widespread vacancies. This prompted the HART board of directors to conduct an “external investigation,” and so far, the tab has run up to almost $30,000. However, this does not appear to be the board’s first rodeo; the previous CEO, also investigated, cost the taxpayers $110,000 and resulted in a resignation after it was discovered that several policy violations had occurred.
The most current investigation allegedly revealed several improprieties and at the point of discovery and public disclosure, the attorneys for Ms. Le Grand wanted to take a high ground. They offered that Ms. Le Grand would graciously leave and take a cash settlement if the board would keep the findings a secret. Indeed, Le Grand and her lawyers have demanded that all further investigation stops and there will be no written record of what was already found.
If the settlement they want goes through, Ms. Le Grand allegedly stands to pocket in excess of $110,000 plus other benefits, on top of the fact that she be allowed to work until the end of May, 2023.
That is a pretty big wish.
Push-Back
It was Hillsborough County Commissioner Joshua Wostal who recently said. “They [the taxpayers] deserve to see what’s in it.” It is difficult to argue the point. As taxpayers, don’t we deserve to see what a taxpayer funded investigation determines?
One issue that has surfaced despite the protests of the lawyers for Le Grand is that it has been found that HART’s fourth highest executive was double-dipping. The employee not only worked for HART but a transit agency in New Orleans. He netted about $350,000 and reported directly to Le Grand’s office.
It is now wondered what more the investigation might reveal? What is also known if that after conducting interviews with at least 15 HART employees, an “atmosphere of fear and secrecy was in place.”
Though it appears that most of the board want the investigation to proceed, but the board’s General Counsel feels otherwise:
“It is the Board’s decision, but it is the opinion of General Counsel, after consultation with employment counsel, that in light of all the relevant circumstances, acceptance of this proposal is in the best interest of HART.”
It is understandable
Ethically, it is a bad look when two CEOs, one after the other for the same agency have undergone investigation. While the board, public and media undoubtedly want to seize and even politicize the tenure of Ms. Le Grand, long-term, it serves no one. Better to compromise a pay-out.
In my opinion as a business ethics motivational keynote speaker, business ethics consultant and book author, the spotlight should be re-focused on the lack of ethical culture at HART and how the faulty culture it has been preserved. The ethical status of the agency and board are suspect of obliviousness at least, and without ethical expectations and reinforcement, there will be opportunities for yet more of such behaviors.
Oh, Ms. Le Grand and the prior CEO were clearly ineffective and unethical in the way they handled business, however the lack of oversight is every bit as lacking. My wish for HART is ethical training, and it is achievable and effective.
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