Scottsdale mayor’s chief of staff fired following 65-day investigation

PHOENIX — Scottsdale Mayor Lisa Borowsky’s chief of staff was fired Friday following a 65-day investigation.

Borowsky was informed by city management of the decision to terminate her top aide, R. Lamar Whitmer.

“To be clear, I do not condone inappropriate workplace conversations, did not witness them and would not tolerate them,” Borowsky said in a statement. “Furthermore, I fully believe workplace rules should be followed, public trust should never be abused and this has been fully communicated to my staff.”

The mayor added that she hopes Whitmer’s replacement will be allowed to fulfill chief of staff responsibilities, including speaking with city staff.

“The people deserve to move past petty politics and move forward in a manner befitting the history and expectations of the city of Scottsdale,” Borowsky said. “I wish Lamar the best in his future.”

What led to the Scottsdale mayor’s chief of staff being fired?

Whitmer was reportedly removed from city hall at the direction of City Manager Greg Caton on Jan. 14 and placed on non-disciplinary suspension, with pay.

During a Jan. 21 press conference, Borowsky demanded city officials disclose what city policies Whitmer violated and, at the time, said she had no idea what was happening when she saw two armed police officers escort Whitmer out of his office.

Borowsky also questioned Caton’s authority to discipline an employee who reports to her, adding that she was considering calling for his resignation due to him consistently undercutting her agenda.

Additionally during the press conference, the mayor said that she planned to create a review committee to remove any ambiguity about the municipal power structure from the city charter.

“There’s an atmosphere of fear in the remaining staff that is widely known, and a fear, a concern that they might be pushed out as well, especially if they’re known to be working with the mayor’s office,” Borowsky said. “It’s not only unfortunate, it’s very troubling. All the citizens of Scottsdale should be very worried about what’s going on here.”

KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Senior Editor Kevin Stone contributed to this report.

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