Specific charge in HART-Armijo investigation surfaces in St. Pete Times

The allegations of improprieties against Armijo were brought to HART board member Wallace Bowers back in February, who brought them to Jordan-Holmes attention.  The board then followed procedure and hired an outside labor firm - Ford & Harrison.  On March 21, attorney Dawn Siler-Nixon with the firm shocked board members by advising them that in order to fully conduct her investigation, she was recommending that they place the subject of the investigation - David Armijo - on two weeks paid suspension, so that she could have full access to employees, who could speak freely about the CEO. The board voted reluctantly to do so, with just one exception.

Before this past Monday's meetings board members learned more about the charges, but still not the specifics, which they said at the time frustrated them.  Armijo also complained that he had not had access to the list of grievances against him, but dismissed some of those that he was aware of.

But when CL asked Hillsborough County Commissioner Mark Sharpe on how serious he believed the charges were, he replied sharply, "Serious enough for an individual to be put on paid leave for a total now of four weeks.  I want an organization that's run strong and where every employee feels comfortable to walk in and present information no matter it goes contrary to what leadership is suggesting. And I want to make sure that's the environment we have from this step forward."

The HART board is scheduled to meet again April 18.