The report, sent to City Council Wednesday, concluded, “The investigator did not find any evidence on [Cuffee-Glenn’s] direct involvement, but based on emails and interviews, high-level subordinates to [Cuffee-Glenn], including [Vincent and Farr] were involved in the hiring and compensation levels of [Glenn]. [Vincent and Farr] were also aware of [Glenn’s] relationship to [Cuffee-Glenn], which impacted the higher salary approval based on guidance from DPU to HR.”

After her dismissal, Cuffee-Glenn texted the RTD’s Robinson that the report was based on “mere conjecture without foundation or basis” and said the hires outlined didn’t violate any city hiring practices. The four other relatives include a niece, two second cousins and one of the cousin’s spouse.

As the city’s chief administrative officer, Cuffee-Glenn wielded an enormous amount of power. She came to Richmond in 2015 from Suffolk, where she served as city manager and gained praise for bringing that city’s bond rating up to AAA status. She was hired by former mayor Dwight Jones and retained by Stoney after his election in 2016.