Philly exec paid $223K won’t be fired after inappropriately touching senior employee
The Philadelphia Parking Authority executive director will continue working his $223K job, despite evidence he sexually harassed a senior employee at work.
The PPA found Vincent Fenerty Jr. made multiple, unwanted sexual advances toward a senior director, but decided he wouldn't be fired because of his "acknowledgment of impropriety and commitment to prevent a reoccurrence," and his "many, many years of exemplary service," according to PPA documents obtained by the Philadelphia Inquirer.
The documents, filed last year, state Fenerty had "engaged in a series of unwanted and repeatedly discouraged sexual advances," including "inappropriate touching and other untoward, unprofessional conduct."
Instead, the PPA placed restrictions on Fenerty's responsibilities. Fenerty can no longer go on overnight work trips without the company’s approval. He also can no longer hire, fire, promote, transfer or award raises, the Inquirer reports. Fenerty also paid $30,000 for the independent investigation of his behavior, the Inquirer reports.
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf and other Pennsylvania politicians, including Democratic attorney general candidate Josh Shapiro, are outraged Fenerty hasn’t been fired, Billy Penn reports.
“Sexual harassment is abhorrent and unacceptable,” a spokesman for Wolf said in a statement. “Governor Wolf would urge leaders of any organization, including the board of PPA, to take sexual harassment seriously and mete out serious discipline to offenders including termination of employment.”
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