Deputy Mayor Accused Of Bullying Resigns: St. Petersburg

Updated: 3:43 p.m., Friday

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — Deputy Mayor Stephanie Owens — who was accused of bullying city staffers — submitted her letter of resignation Friday to Mayor Ken Welch, according to a news release from the city.

Owens' last day with the city of St. Petersburg will be Sept. 9.

The news follows the resignation of Janelle Irwin Taylor, the city’s communications director, who made serious allegations against Owens, her supervisor, the city said.

“After our discussion on August 30, 2022, I have determined that the disclosed hostile work environment, lack of communication or guidance, and overall culture of bullying, all related to my direct supervisor, were not adequately addressed, and thus warrant my immediate departure from this administration,” Irwin Taylor wrote in her resignation letter submitted Thursday to the mayor.

• Also Read: Hostile Workplace Prompts St. Pete Spokeswoman To Resign: Letter

In her resignation letter, Owens said that “recent events distract from our impactful and intentional work to move our great city forward, and therefore I resign in the spirit of progress.”

She added, “I have been privileged to serve alongside committed colleagues on behalf of our city, who I know will continue to pursue the mission of equity and innovation. I look forward to continuing to be a change agent to implement that mission.”

Owens was placed on administrative leave after Welch became aware of the ongoing issues, the city said. The city’s human resources department had started a review of the allegations.

With the deputy mayor’s resignation, there’s no need for an internal review, the city added.

The mayor has asked the human resources team to create new initiatives to educate the city’s employees about their rights and protections, and to foster workplace civility.