Augusta parks chief quit as he faced penalty after HR inquiry
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - Newly released documents are shedding light on the abrupt exit of Augusta’s parks and recreation director, who was granted three months of “severance” pay.
There’s been a series of complaints about problems in the department – like issues with restrooms at Diamond Lakes Regional Park and a damaged boat house.
But those didn’t appear to play a role in Maurice McDowell’s departure.
City documents obtained by News 12 show an employee with the Parks and Recreation Department filed a complaint alleging harassment by him back in September.
After nearly half a year and half a dozen separate complaints to human resources about McDowell, the city’s Equal Employment Opportunity Division said it substantiated claims of age discrimination by McDowell.
The division recommended suspending McDowell for five days.
It also recommended McDowell and other managers in his department complete in-depth training on equal opportunities, age discrimination and sexual harassment.
The recommendations were listed in a letter to McDowell dated Feb. 13, 2024 – the same date as his resignation.
Nearly all the complaints sent to human resources accused McDowell of favoritism and creating a toxic workplace.
They said they saw a decline in the mental and emotional well-being of the city employee who filed the initial complaint.
The employee continued to report to McDowell during the months between the complaint’s filing and his departure.
“We were able to conclude from our investigation that you did commit the acts of Age Discrimination in violation of the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 and our policy against age discrimination,” McDowell was told in the Feb. 13 letter.
The letter notes that age discrimination becomes unlawful when it is so frequent or severe that it creates a hostile and/or offensive working environment or when it results in an adverse employment decision, such as the victim being fired or demoted.
“Your actions have created a hostile and offensive working environment,” the letter states. “Therefore, this claim against you has been substantiated.”
His resignation letter was accepted by the Augusta Commission, which also granted the request for three months of “severance” pay.
Moving forward
Augusta leaders are getting down to the business of hiring a new parks and recreation director.
At Tuesday’s meeting, the Augusta Commission approved a recruitment process for the position.
The hiring process will involve recruiting through several agencies for 30 days, using the executive recruitment summary as a guide until the hiring is completed.
The agencies include the Georgia Local Government Personnel Association, Georgia Municipal Association, International City/County Management Association, National Association of Counties, and Georgia Recreation and Park Association.
READ THE JOB DESCRIPTION:
It could be a lengthy process, if the search for a city is any indication.
Takiyah Douse has been serving as interim for two years, twice as long as her predecessor Odie Donald served in the permanent role.
Once applications opened and were sifted through, Mayor Garnett Johnson Douse was not among them even though she’d applied.
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