Leaders Of Milwaukee 2020 Host Committee Under Investigation

Two leaders of the Milwaukee 2020 Host Committee have been placed on leave as an investigation into allegations of a toxic work environment is conducted.

The investigation comes less than six months before Democrats gather in Milwaukee to choose their presidential nominee.

The committee’s board of directors said they were made aware over the weekend of the work environment concerns by staff members.

The board decided to bring in an impartial, third-party to evaluate and investigate the allegations. To insure a fair process, Milwaukee 2020 Host Committee president Liz Gilbert will not be allowed in the committee office, and cannot have any contact with staff. Chief of staff for the committee, Adam Alonso, has also been placed on administrative leave.

Joe Solmonese is the CEO of the 2020 Democratic National Convention Committee — a separate, national committee. Solmonese’s committee is responsible for planning, managing and conducting the convention July 13-16.

In a statement to WPR he wrote:

“The Democratic Party is firm in our belief that every person deserves to feel safe and respected at their place of work and we will always take seriously claims of bullying and workplace harassment. The claims made by employees of the Milwaukee 2020 Host Committee present an unacceptable and upsetting environment. The Milwaukee 2020 Host Committee Board of Directors is moving forward with a plan to restore an office culture that aligns with the values and expectations of our party.”

The Milwaukee 2020 Host Committee is a civic, nonpartisan group that is responsible for recruiting volunteers, securing funds and coordinating convention-related facilities and venues. The committee must raise up to $70 million for the convention. The Milwaukee Business Journal reports they raised $25 million by the end of 2019, leaving them to raise roughly $45 million by July.

The committee is also responsible for recruiting 15,000 volunteers. They launched their volunteer portal for the convention last week.

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett is a co-chair on the committee along with Democratic U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore. Barrett praised the board for acting quickly after hearing staff concerns.

“There is a tremendous amount of work that’s being done, that’s continuing to be done and that will continue to be done as we prepare for July,” Barrett said.

“We are committed to an inclusive, non-discriminatory and supportive environment at the Host Committee, and we will work to ensure that all employees live up to these ideals,” the committee’s board said in a letter. “We will follow-up regarding additional actions, as appropriate, based on the findings of the investigation.”

Gov. Tony Evers says the allegations concern him as an employer.

“If the allegations are strong, we need to take them seriously,” Evers said. “I don’t believe it’s going to have an impact, the convention is going to happen. We are going to get it off the ground in a good way but I’m really happy we are doing an investigation.”

Carmen Decot, a partner with the law firm Foley & Lardner, is the Milwaukee 2020 Host Committee’s legal counsel. She did not respond to a request for comment.