Thursday, Jan. 08, 2009

Georgetown planner accuses mayor of sexual harassment

GEORGETOWN -- Georgetown City Planner Sabrina Morris, who has filed a complaint of sexual harassment against Mayor Lynn Wood Wilson, has hired an attorney to represent her, while the city looks into the allegation.

Georgetown City Council members confirmed Wednesday they had received the letter during an executive session in November, but said they returned the letter and had taken no action.

The S.C. Municipal Association handbook for employees states that complaints of sexual harassment should be made immediately after the incident, either orally or in writing, and investigated by human resources.

Interim Administrator Miles Hadley said the city is "doing what it needs to do," but could not comment about the investigation.

Wilson said he could not comment on the allegations.

Morris referred questions to North Charleston attorney Russell Bynum.

"It is still very early in the investigation," Bynum said. "At this point, there is no lawsuit. We're conducting our initial investigation."

Morris has not filed a grievance against the city, Hadley said.

A special meeting is scheduled for 4 p.m today in Georgetown. The meeting, which was announced Wednesday afternoon, is to discuss legal matters, according to the agenda released by Georgetown City Hall.

Hadley said the meeting does not involve Morris' allegations.

The harassment incident allegedly took place at a gathering at Beef 'O' Brady's Restaurant in Georgetown in August, according to City Council members.

The letter from Morris was given out to City Council members during an executive session, said Georgetown City Councilman Paige Sawyer.

Members read Morris' letter but didn't keep copies, Sawyer said.

"Several of us turned it in," he said.

He would not say who the letters were returned to.

"Whether it's true or not I don't know, that's between her and Lynn Wood," Sawyer said.

Sawyer said he was shocked by the allegations, since he was at the Beef 'O' Brady's event.

"I did not see anything," he said.

Cindi Welsh, owner of Beef O'Brady's, said City Council members and staff members were at the restaurant, but she was unaware of any incidents.

"If it did happen, we were not paying attention," Welsh said.

"We were absolutely involved in what we were doing. It may have been said, but it didn't send any flags to us."

-- The (Myrtle Beach) Sun News

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