Lakefront Sex Harassment Scandal Probe Assigned To Outside Firm

EVANSTON, IL — The city of Evanston has hired an outside law firm to investigate its handling of allegations of sexual misconduct and harassment among lakefront staff.

Salvatore, Prescott, Porter & Porter, or SPPP, will conduct an "independent, thorough and impartial" probe of the allegations — first presented to city staff by a group of female lifeguards in July 2020 — as well as steps taken by city officials in response.

"SPPP was asked to perform an independent investigation and follow the evidence wherever it leads," partner Andrew Porter told Patch. "That is exactly what we intend to do – as expeditiously as possible."

The firm, whose Illinois office is in Evanston, was founded by Jennifer Salvatore, Sarah Prescott, and Julie Porter and specializes in employment law, civil rights, litigation, white-collar criminal and investigations.

Porter, the former chief of the criminal division for federal prosecutors in Chicago, served as the acting legislative inspector general for Illinois from November 2017 through February 2019.

Among her findings in probes of local legislators: former state Sen. Ira Silverstein (D-Chicago) did not sexually harass a victims rights advocate, but he did act "in a manner unbecoming of a legislator in violation of the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act" and that the evidence did not support allegations that former State Rep. Lou Lang (D-Skokie) engaged in misconduct involving a medical marijuana lobbyist.

After leaving the position, she revealed state lawmakers blocked her attempts to publish reports into their wrongdoing.

City Manager Erika Storlie has placed Human Resources Director Jennifer Lin on administrative leave pending further investigation of her handling of the matter.

Storlie has said she was not told of the petition at the time it was shared with human resources and Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department supervisors.

Signed by more than 50 past and present female lifeguards and beach staff and first reported by WBEZ, the petition includes anonymous allegations of sexual assault and describes a work culture of pervasive sexism.

Mayor Daniel Biss learned of the allegations from a constituent in mid-June. City Council members said they were also never notified by city staff.

No information was immediately available regarding whether the report would be made public when complete.

Earlier:
Lakefront Sexual Harassment Petition Not Shared By Staff, Mayor Says
Sexual Harassment Allegations Trigger 'Impartial Investigation'
Staff Warned Of Rampant Sexual Harassment At Evanston Lakefront