Amid toxic work culture allegations, two Milwaukee 2020 Democratic Host Committee leaders fired

Daniel Bice | Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

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MILWAUKEE – The two leaders of Milwaukee's host committee for the 2020 Democratic National Convention are out.

Late Tuesday, the board for the Milwaukee 2020 Host Committee terminated President Liz Gilbert and her chief of staff, Adam Alonso. The move comes just one day after the board suspended the pair and launched an investigation into “toxic workplace” allegations.

The Journal Sentinel reported Tuesday that a group of senior women staffers wrote an unsigned letter last week complaining of being "bullied and intimidated" by Alonso — something they said Gilbert did nothing to stop. They said Alonso's actions fostered a "toxic and unstable" culture.

"Every employee has a right to feel respected in their workplace," said a one-page statement from the board.

"Based on the information we have learned to date, we believe the work environment did not meet the ideals and expectations of the Milwaukee 2020 Host Committee Board of Directors. Accordingly, Liz Gilbert and Adam Alonso are no longer employed by the organization, effective immediately."

The letter said the board will continue its investigation into the claims about the troubled workplace.

When the staffers' complaints first surfaced, the board hired the firm of Foley & Lardner to coordinate the investigation. Foley has since brought on another firm — Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart — to look into the specific accusations and report its findings to the board.

No timeline has been set for the investigation.

"The work of the Milwaukee 2020 Host Committee is critically important — but that work cannot be accomplished unless members of the staff can work collaboratively," the board statement said. "The Board is committed to an inclusive and supportive environment at the Host Committee, and will work to ensure that all employees live up to these ideals."

Gilbert's attorney, Peg Schaffer, pushed back on the accusations being leveled against her client. Schaffer said Gilbert cooperated with the investigator, was hoping to be exonerated and called the actions by the board "outrageous and unwarranted."

Schaffer disputed that there was a toxic workplace, asserting that Gilbert was targeted because she was a strong female leader.

"Frankly, it is frustrating to me that a disgruntled staff who when confronted with a strong woman leader is using the euphemism of a toxic workplace to complain about their boss," said Schaffer, who is the interim vice chairwoman of the New Jersey Democratic Party.

Schaffer said she would have to talk with Gilbert about what step they would take in the wake of the firing: "She is not in the business of suing people, but if there is reputational damage coming from this, she'll take the appropriate steps to remedy this."

Alonso didn't immediately respond. Earlier, he said he was proud of his work for the committee and would cooperate with the investigation.

Previously reported: Milwaukee's 2020 Democratic Host Committee accused of a toxic work culture

Teresa Vilmain, a longtime Wisconsin political operative, will oversee the day-to-day operations of the host committee until a new leadership team is put in place.

The ouster of the two officials comes less than six months before the start of the Democratic National Convention. The host committee — the civic, nonpartisan arm of the convention — is responsible for raising $70 million to stage the July event at Fiserv Forum and recruit some 15,000 volunteers.

Joe Solmonese, the chief executive of the Democratic National Convention Committee, issued a statement praising the whistleblowers and the board. He said the gravity of the issues raised demanded a "serious and meaningful response."

"I am grateful to the host committee's Board of Directors for acting promptly to address this issue," Solmonese said.

"Employees who take a stand and call for respect, fairness and safety in the workplace have our full support, and I am proud of the host committee employees who came forward."

On Monday, the board had announced that Alonso had been placed on administrative leave and that Gilbert was to stay away from the office and staff during the investigation.

That move had the support of Democratic politicians across the state.

"It concerns me as an employer and as someone who has supervised people in the past and present," said Gov. Tony Evers, a Democrat. "But if the allegations are strong, we need to take them seriously."

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett praised the board's actions at a Tuesday news conference.

"I’m very pleased that the board has acted as swiftly as it has," Barrett said. "They are investigating it as we speak. And I’m sure they will get it right.”

Alonso and Gilbert had previously come under criticism for continuing to do work for New Jersey Democrats while leading the host committee full time. The New Jersey Democratic Party dumped Alonso from his $15,000-per-month consulting gig late Monday.

In their letter to the board, the senior female staffers said the host committee has no human resources department, so they were turning to board members for help.

"We write to inform you of our experiences with the President and Chief of Staff of Milwaukee 2020 with the hope that an unwavering change will be made," the women wrote in the letter.

They said the work environment was "toxic and insular" and that the two top managers discourage "honest feedback and discourse."

"This has significantly impacted staff morale resulting in a fear of retribution and lack of trust among not only senior but junior staff as well," the letter said.

"Since November, complaints of this nature were brought to the attention of Liz Gilbert, who has gone on to defend him," it continued. "Our challenges have been entirely dismissed."

One of the authors of the note said she had recently made the decision to leave the host committee.

The letter concludes by saying the problems are affecting female staffers throughout the organization: "Several junior women have approached us distraught and fearful, not knowing where else to turn."

Julie Roginsky, a former strategist for New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, said Murphy's gubernatorial campaign operation was “toxic” and that she experienced “rank misogyny.”

She has also said lobbyists told her during the 2018 campaign that Alonso and the campaign manager were shaking them down for private business.

Alonso has denied the allegations.

Bill Glauber of the Journal Sentinel staff contributed to this report.

Follow Daniel Bice on Twitter: @DanielBice.