Providence City Clerk May Be Removed Over Bullying Allegations

PROVIDENCE, RI — The Providence City Council voted unanimously Thursday to seek to suspend or remove City Clerk Shawn Selleck from office over accusations he bullied and harassed his employees in the city clerk's office.

The council's resolution charges Selleck with violations of the city code of conduct, anti-bullying policy, anti-harassment police and the workplace violation policy, as well as creating a toxic work environment and inappropriate management. City officials said the charges are based on an independent investigation conducted by employment and labor attorney Carly Lafrate.

Selleck in an email to WPRI 12, pledged to defend himself against the allegations.

"When I came to work for the City of Providence, my mission was to make the City Clerk’s office work for all of the people of Providence and all of the members of the Providence City Council, not for insiders and the select few," Selleck said in the email. "As my time here has proceeded, it has become clear that the open flow of information that would best serve the public interest is not being allowed to take place. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss this in public at great length and to defend myself against the politically motivated and inaccurate report that was leaked by political actors earlier this week."

Lafrate's report included allegations made by several city council and city clerk's office employees, including one from Deputy Clerk Tina Mastroiani. According to the report, Selleck's creation of a "hostile harassing and bullying work environment" negatively affected Mastroiani's mental health. The report said Selleck didn't yell or swear at Mastroianni, but he would dominate her space and refused to leave her alone while trying to work, WPRI 12 reported.

A spokesperson for the City Council said the charges will be submitted in writing to the mayor and Selleck, and after 30 days, the council will hold a public hearing to weigh the charges and vote on if Selleck will be suspended or removed from office. A two-thirds vote from the council is required to issue a punishment.