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Meeting Name: ETHICS BOARD INVESTIGATION COMMITTEE Agenda status: Final
Meeting date/time: 8/10/2020 1:30 PM Minutes status: Final  
Meeting location: Virtual Meeting
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Published agenda: Agenda Agenda Published minutes: Minutes Minutes  
Meeting video: eComment: Not available  
Attachments:
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   1. Discussion and vote on whether to suspend Board Rule III, Art. II, Sec. 1, regarding meeting in closed session.

Minutes note: The Chair stated she's asking for waiver of this rule for today's meeting because the discussion is procedural in nature. The Chair moved, seconded by Mr. Nicholas to suspend Board Rule III, Art. II, Sec. 1 for today's meeting. There were no objections.
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   2. Discussion of procedural questions pertaining to the investigation of Commissioner Steven DeVougas.

Minutes note: The Chair gave a brief background of the complaint filed by Dale Bormann against Commissioner Steven DeVougas. She also discussed the Board rules and procedures pertaining to investigations.
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   3. Discussion regarding what specific items that Committee members wish to be included as part of the investigation of Commissioner Steven DeVougas.

Minutes note: The Chair stated there needs to be clarification in what capacity Commissioner DeVougas was serving in during the August 2019 police interview. She added that the Committee should review the interviews conducted by Former US Attorney Mel Johnson. Ms. Johnson stated she would also like to review the information retrieved by Mr. Johnson. The Chair stated she would like to review documents and tax records regarding Commissioner DeVougas' income as it relates to the Haywood Group.
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   4. Discussion and vote relating to hiring an outside investigator and/or prosecutor with regard to the investigation of Commissioner Steven DeVougas.

Minutes note: The Chair recommended hiring an outside investigator for the first allegation because this investigation will involve an extensive amount of time and there is no expertise in investigations. Mr. Kalscheur agreed that the Committee could review the financial documents pertaining to the statements of economic interest addressed in allegations #3-4. The Chair moved, seconded by Mr. Nicholas to hire an outside investigator for allegation #1 of the complaint. There were no objections.
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   5. Discussion and vote on the issuance of subpoenas or ordering of depositions with regard to the investigation of Commissioner Steven DeVougas.

Minutes note: The Chair stated in the interest of time, the Committee should issue subpoenas to Commissioner DeVougas for financial records as they pertain to allegations #3-4 in the complaint. The Chair moved, seconded by Ms. Johnson to prepare subpoenas directed to the Fire and Police Commission for the video and transcript of the August 2019 interview at the Sojourner Family Peace Center, and the reports of interviews the 17 witnesses conducted by Mel Johnson during his investigation for the Fire and Police Commission. There were no objections. ACA Block asked members to contact him with any further items they would like to subpoena to be discussed at the next meeting.
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   6. Discussion relating to source of funds for the investigation of Commissioner Steven DeVougas.

Minutes note: Ms. Kuether-Steele stated the Committee will need to send a letter to the Budget Office asking for funds from the Special Purpose Account. The Chair stated the Committee will need to solicit recommendations from the City Attorney's Office for investigators and outside counsel.
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   7. Discussion relating to the potential timeline of the investigation of Commissioner Steven DeVougas.

Minutes note: The Chair stated the timeline will be better determined once an outside investigator is contracted. She added that the timeline is months and not weeks. She stated that at the next meeting she would like to interview potential investigators.
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   8. Set next meeting date(s).

Minutes note: The next meeting was set for the week of September 7th. The meeting adjourned at 2:28 PM. Molly Kuether-Steele Staff Assistant
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