The complainant claimed that Patsy J. Hansel had touched her intimately and made comments of a sexual nature, the Phoenix Arizona Republic reported April 19. Hansel, who was put on paid leave February 5 for nine weeks, denied the charges, suggesting that the victim had fabricated the story because her performance was under scrutiny.
After interviewing 23 other library staffers—who backed up the victim’s claims and said Hansel had also made inappropriate comments to them—investigators recommended the director be terminated.
The city decided instead to put Hansel on probation, conduct a department-wide study on management style, and assign a coach to work with Hansel and library staff to “improve communication and strengthen team building.”
Posted April 28, 2003.