An investigation prompted by an employee's complaint has revealed significant
ethics violations by now-former Charlotte County Economic Development Director Dave Gammon.
The investigation began after allegations of workplace retaliation, policy violations, and breach of contract emerged, particularly surrounding recent departmental restructuring and hiring practices.
Charlotte County was seeking two positions to be filled within the office. Gammon reportedly started asking if his wife would be a good fit for the position.
The County Attorney was alerted to potential violations within the Charlotte County Economic Development Office on June 20.
The allegations included workplace retaliation, policy violations and breach of contract.
According to documents, eight witnesses, along with Gammon, were interviewed during the investigation.
Complaints primarily focused on concerns that Gammon was retaliating against employees for not hiring his wife for an open position.
The report, provided to NBC2 through a public records request, noted Gammon 'failed or refused to follow BOCC and County HR policies and procedures and failed to even familiarize himself with their requirements. Gammon also admitted to not being sufficiently familiar with these policies.
"Asking a specific individual in HR a limited question about hiring his spouse," the report states, "does not relieve him of his duties as a Director of familiarizing himself with County policy."
Despite what staff called urging to hire Gammon's wife, Gammon said he removed himself from the hiring process.
The report revealed that Gammon restructured the department to facilitate his wife's hiring and that job descriptions were changed prior to opening two jobs for hire.
His wife made it to the in-person interview round, and a panel ultimately ranked the potential employees in order of who they thought would best fit the office. Mrs. Gammon scored last.
Staff reported feeling retaliated against for not hiring Gammon's wife. They noted the revocation of work-from-home privileges, additional workload and critical evaluations. Employees described this as a contrast to his behavior before this incident.
Gammon's behavior was described as bullying and retaliatory, creating an uncomfortable work environment in the report.
Gammon denied these allegations and said the claims were one-sided.
The investigation concluded that Gammon's actions were in direct violation of several policies, including; Code of ethics, Candidate selection, Conflict of interest, Employment of relatives/nepotism, Workplace behavior, bullying, and violence, and Records management policy,
Gammon submitted his resignation on August 9, which became effective on the 12th. He told NBC2 he decided eight years in the public sector was enough.
The Board of County Commissioners said this investigation highlighted Gammon's ethical and policy breaches, emphasizing the need for improved oversight and training within the department.
The Board of County Commissioners named Kay Tracy interim director, with a recommendation to become the full-time director after the hiring processes are sorted out.