City Councilman Steps Down As Chair Amid Sexual Harassment Charges

TAMPA, FL — On the heels of sexual harassment allegations made by his former senior aide, Tampa City Council chairman Orlando Gudes announced at the start of Thursday's city council meeting that he will step down as chairman but stated emphatically that he will not resign from the city council.

"In light of the last four days, which I can't talk about because I have retained counsel, everybody has their day to be vindicated, and I'm waiting for that day to happen. But, in light of making sure we move forward and making sure this council is steadfast, a leader can't be in turmoil and try to lead," Gudes said.

He then made a motion asking the council to allow him to step down as chairman and naming councilman Guido Maniscalco chairman. His motion was seconded by councilman Charlie Miranda.

Despite calls from the mayor, the community and fellow council members for him to resign, Gudes made it clear that he will not do that. Instead, he thanked all those who have contacted him to offer their support.

"I appreciate that because I needed that, the way I've been beat up," he said. "But, you know, I'm a soldier. I'm not a coward. That's why I'm here today. I'm not going to give up the fight, can't give up the fight."

The council unanimously approved Gudes' motion to place Maniscalco in the chairman's role.

On Monday, the city released a report from an independent, outside law firm it hired in September to investigate 19 allegations of "pervasive abuse and sexual harassment."

The incidents reported by Gudes' former senior aide, a Black woman and a friend of Gudes when he hired her to work in his office, occurred between May 2019 and September 2020. Gudes, who is Black, was elected in 2019 to represent District 5, which encompasses East Tampa where a majority of Black residents live.

The aide, who has filed a lawsuit against the city, accused Gudes of making crude sexual statements, sexual gestures and derogatory comments about her and other women including calling her "Celie," the name of the main character in the book by Alice Walker and film starring Oprah Winfrey, "The Color Purple."

Celie is a poor, uneducated Black woman who is initially depicted as submissive and subservient after enduring rape by her stepfather and beatings by her abusive husband.

"The alleged sexual harassment did not include sexual advances, but rather frequent offensive conduct and abuse," said the city in a statement.

The independent investigator concluded that 18 of the 19 allegations against Gudes "appear to be credible" and found "several of the allegations corroborated by witnesses."

The report concluded that the senior aide "has provided evidence demonstrating that she suffered harassment based on her sex."

Gudes denied the sexual harassment allegations, but apologized for anything he said that may have caused his former legislative aide to feel uncomfortable.

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"I made the mistake of hiring a friend and not establishing new boundaries for the relationship because the dynamic had changed. I take full responsibility for not recognizing this change," he said. "These circumstances led me to make jokes and comments that were not appropriate for the workplace but would not be uncommon among old friends, which is what I considered us to be at the time."

Tampa Mayor Jane Castor issued a statement saying she would fire Gudes if he were a city employee, and commended the former aide for having the courage to come forward.

Councilman Bill Carlson, who was at home with a child diagnosed with COVID-19, addressed the council via video.

"I did want to say that the comments described in the report are obviously not acceptable, and also I feel terrible for the claimant and the claimant's family who have not only had to endure the incident that's described but now also the intense media coverage," he said, asking that the media respect her privacy. "The claimant took a brave step in coming forward and now should not have to suffer again."

District 5 residents who spoke to the allegations at Thursday's council meeting were divided on the issue.

Keela McCaskill said she knows the aide and initially believed the accusations, but said now thinks they are the result of the aide's insecurity in her ability to perform the duties of her job.

"I'm sorry you're facing hostility from people who have no idea of the things you've done in the community," she told Gudes. "Because of you, things have changed in this district."

The leaking of the independent attorney's report on the sexual harassment allegations was a bit too timely for resident Melvin Hicks' comfort.

The allegations were made public just a week after the city council confirmed Castor's appointee, Mary O'Connor, as police chief. Gudes voted against her confirmation.

Dating back to Castor's predecessor, former Mayor Bob Buckhorn, Hicks said there's been a pattern of retribution by Tampa mayors against city council members that go against their decisions.

"I think Mr. Gudes should stay," Hicks said. "This is a pattern that's been going on since Buckhorn, and it's going on now. There's safety with him (Gudes). He holds them accountable. I think this is a witch hunt. There are more pressing issues going on in the city right now."

Alluding to O'Connor's confirmation as police chief despite her felony arrest for striking a Hillsborough County sheriff's deputy when she was pulled over for drunk driving as a rookie cop, Hicks quipped, "It's all about second chances, right?"

"Politics is a blood sport," said resident Eddie Adams Jr. "It's being displayed here today. He's (Gudes) on trial for bad language. He made the decision to say things that might have been out of character."

But, unlike O'Connor, Adams said, "He did not strike an officer who was doing his duty. I don't think he did anything to be crucified here for."

Robin Locket said she read the entire independent counsel report and, while there may have been inappropriate comments, she saw no indication that the aide was sexually harassed.

"I'm not here to badger a Black woman because I am a Black woman. But where's the due process?" she asked.

If there was a problem in 2019, it should have been dealt with at that time before it escalated into a lawsuit, she said.

Other residents demanded Gudes' immediate resignation from the council, including Avis Harrison, who unsuccessfully ran for city council in 2016.

"Orlando Gudes must step down," she said. "He is sowing seeds of chaos within the community. His sexist, bigoted, misogynistic and homophobic comments show that he does not support a large portion of the community, and we cannot allow this to stand. His immediate resignation is needed so we can all move forward with support in the community and put an end to the cloud of controversy he has hung over this city council."

The Rev. Michelle B. Patty agreed. She said Gudes' actions have been questionable since his days as a Tampa police officer.

"How many chances do you give someone who continues to violate the trust of the people?" she asked.

However, the matter is out of the city's hands. Only Gov. Ron DeSantis has the authority to suspend or remove Gudes from office.