Fort Myers City Attorney to return despite scathing review

FORT MYERS, Fla. Fort Myers City Attorney Grant Alley is poised to return to work, even though an investigation concluded he “negatively impacts work flow.”

City Council voted 5-2 on Monday to bring back Alley from paid administrative leave on Nov. 20 following the conclusion of an investigation into complaints about his behavior at work. Employees told investigators he was overly aggressive and that he inappropriately reprimanded them in front their co-workers, reducing some to tears.

MORE: Fort Myers city attorney takes leave of absence

One of those employees said she quit because of the way he treated not only her but others working for the city, which spent $130,000 to have Naples-based law firm Coleman, Hazzard, Taylor & Diaz look into Alley’s on-the-job conduct.

Alley will be given a written warning and undergo management training, and an intermediary will work with all parties involved to determine a way forward, according to the agreement the council approved Monday.

The council rejected proposals from the firm that would have kept Alley on leave until he completes the management training and would have established a probationary period upon his return.

MORE: Fort Myers declines to renew contract with police audit firm