Detroit City Councilwoman Mary Waters has fired her community liaison, Reggie Davis, after an investigation revealed he and former council president Charles Pugh posed as incoming Ombudsman staff to gain access to sensitive information.
The investigation found that Davis and Pugh made contact with WingSwept, a vendor providing software to the Ombudsman's Office, posing as part of the team preparing to take over the department. The office initially believed they were legitimate representatives but later discovered their true intentions after being instructed by the actual Ombudsman's office.
According to the investigation, Davis sought a $197,000-a-year job and used his position to improperly access information from WingSwept. Pugh, who was convicted of child sex crimes in 2016, joined at least one call and was introduced as Davis' "chief of staff".
Davis has denied any wrongdoing, stating that he had only sought publicly available information and that his description of himself as part of the incoming team was imprecise. However, the Office of Inspector General disagreed, finding him to have "falsely presented himself" and abused his position.
This move comes amid concerns about Davis' past behavior, including allegations of harassment against two women who later secured personal protection orders against him. It's unclear why Davis worked with Pugh, a convicted sex offender.
The OIG has recommended disciplinary action, which Waters has now carried out by firing Davis from her staff. The decision was made after reviewing an October 27 report that concluded Davis had "abused his position" to gain access to WingSwept's information.
The investigation found that Davis and Pugh made contact with WingSwept, a vendor providing software to the Ombudsman's Office, posing as part of the team preparing to take over the department. The office initially believed they were legitimate representatives but later discovered their true intentions after being instructed by the actual Ombudsman's office.
According to the investigation, Davis sought a $197,000-a-year job and used his position to improperly access information from WingSwept. Pugh, who was convicted of child sex crimes in 2016, joined at least one call and was introduced as Davis' "chief of staff".
Davis has denied any wrongdoing, stating that he had only sought publicly available information and that his description of himself as part of the incoming team was imprecise. However, the Office of Inspector General disagreed, finding him to have "falsely presented himself" and abused his position.
This move comes amid concerns about Davis' past behavior, including allegations of harassment against two women who later secured personal protection orders against him. It's unclear why Davis worked with Pugh, a convicted sex offender.
The OIG has recommended disciplinary action, which Waters has now carried out by firing Davis from her staff. The decision was made after reviewing an October 27 report that concluded Davis had "abused his position" to gain access to WingSwept's information.