The incident in question, according to Josephine County Assistant Legal Counsel Stephanie Nuttall, was a moment when Commissioner DeYoung interrupted Finance Director Sandy Novak during a public meeting by jokingly asking her to sit on his lap while patting his thighs.
A moment of silence followed, and DeYoung laughed. He then offered up his chair, to which Novak replied, 鈥淣o thank you.鈥�
A press release issued by the County on July 9 said the investigation revealed DeYoung鈥檚 conduct did not meet its core values which 鈥渆mphasize our employees as our greatest resource, the provision of professional services, and integrity鈥� in addition to violating its sexual harassment policy.
Nuttall said the investigation began when her office began receiving complaints about DeYoung鈥檚 behavior.
The day after the meeting, during a weekly business session, a Grants Pass resident brought the matter to the commissioners during the public comments section, saying DeYoung鈥檚 actions were 鈥渧ery inappropriate.鈥�
鈥淚 apologize for my actions,鈥� DeYoung said in response. 鈥淚t was unprofessional, and I agree with you. That鈥檚 not the place to do it. On camera is not the place to do it.鈥�
DeYoung did not respond to JPR for comment.
On July 10, Novak gave a public comment during the next weekly business meeting. 鈥淭his was not an isolated incident,鈥� she said.
Novak added that her role as finance director is not to make final decisions on policy or choose sides. 鈥淢y job is to serve each and every one of the elected officials that the citizens of this county put into this office. How do I serve a commissioner who is asking me to sit on his lap?鈥� she said.
For violating the County鈥檚 sexual harassment policy and not meeting its core values, DeYoung鈥檚 interaction with Novak will be restricted and he will be issued a written warning and reprimand. He will also undergo additional training regarding acceptable workplace behavior.
