ATLANTA (AP) – An investigation found that the now-retired Georgian Veterans Service leader sexually molested his secretary, part of a common pattern of degrading behavior towards women and minorities.
The state inspector general’s report received from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution found that Veterans Service Commissioner Mike Roby touched his secretary and forced her into uncomfortable hugs while he put “cosmetic names” on her and other female employees.
The investigation said Roby also used racist nicknames for black and Latin American workers, with one employee referring to workplace culture as “a fat man on the floor”.
Roby defended his behavior as innocent and told investigators that he was “a hugger”. He retired after the investigation closed earlier this fall.
The report cited several Department of Veterans Service officials who said they had repeatedly warned Roby of his behavior.
“Roby’s behavior was derogatory, demeaning, and intended to insult, embarrass, belittle or humiliate the secretary because of her gender,” the report concludes, adding that he “knew, or should have known, that his behavior was … undesirable was “. and insulting. “
The investigation came after Governor Brian Kemp issued new guidelines to prevent sexual harassment during his first week in office.
“From the start of his tenure, Governor Kemp has made sure that the state government is a safe, welcoming place for employees,” Kemp spokeswoman Katie Byrd told the newspaper. “The state Veterans Service Board worked closely with the OIG and the Attorney General’s Office to review the findings and move the agency forward so it can continue to reach out to and serve the heroes of our state.”
The newspaper previously reported that government agencies often did not respond effectively to complaints of harassment.
Veterans Service Board Chair Patricia Ross will take over the role of helping veterans access government programs and benefits. Ross said Roby’s behavior was “very worrying and unknown to the board,” but she said the investigation shows the process is working.
Roby’s personal secretary, hired earlier this year, filed the complaint in August and caused the department’s board of directors to take Roby on administrative leave.
The report found that Roby would call the secretary by nicknames and sometimes add his last name to her name as if they were married. Shortly thereafter, Roby began hugging the secretary and demanding hugs in return. She described the hugs as unwanted and “creepy”.
The secretary said she “felt like she had no way of saying no because he was her manager,” the report said.
Roby told the secretary that she might be called to stay longer and work with him alone. The report said the secretary was “confused by the statement” because “the workload is light and … Roby doesn’t seem busy.”
According to the report, Roby used racist language when referring to some employees. A former employee, whose family was from Cuba, said Roby called him “any name that was stereotypically Hispanic,” including Jose, “Rico Suave and” Latin Lover “and told others before him that he hired him from the parking lot have a home depot. Several witnesses said Roby referred to a group of black female employees as the “Kunta Kinte Mafia”.
In an email to the Inspector General’s Office, Roby said he was “sorry it came to this” and that he “never intended such a thing (sic) to ever happen (sic).”
Roby, 68, worked for the Veterans Service for 27 years and was appointed commissioner in 2015. He previously served in the Army for 22 years and rose to Sergeant Major. He was inducted into the Georgia Military Veterans Hall of Fame earlier this year.
Roby will face no further consequences as he retired before he could be disciplined.
“Our hands were tied for any action,” said Ross.
