Medford Veterans Services Director Michael Durham Reinstated

MEDFORD, MA — Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn's administration has reinstated Veterans Services Director Michael Durham, a month after he was put on administrative leave amid outcry from local veterans and the city council.

A spokesperson for Lungo-Koehn said Durham was back in his office on Monday. No additional details about Durham's reinstatement were provided.

Durham was escorted from City Hall by police Sept. 17 after he was placed on leave pending a psychological evaluation.

The city council questioned this treatment of Durham, who had filed complaints against the city alleging he was not properly compensated, that veterans were being discriminated against and that he faced retaliation for bringing these issues to light.

"In the city of Medford, they give you the perp walk outside, and they ask you to go for a psychological exam if you're a whistleblower," Councilor Michael Marks said at a Sept. 21 meeting.

The council ultimately voted Sept. 28 to formally call on the mayor to reinstate Durham.

Meanwhile, an outside investigator found no wrongdoing on the part of the administration in connection with Durham's claims.

Corinne Hood Greene, of the firm Greene & Hafer Employment Law, concluded that "neither Mayor Lungo-Koehn's or [Chief People Officer] Mr. Osborne's conduct violated the city's anti-harassment or whistleblower policies," according to the report, released Sept. 23.

While Durham was on leave, requests for veterans' benefits were referred through Medford to Wilmington Veterans' Agent Louis Cimaglia, or residents were able to contact Wilmington directly to request benefits and other assistance.

But critics, including members of the council, felt the mayor was not forthcoming about operations in the Veterans Services Department in Durham's absence. Councilor Adam Knight said the decision to put him on leave "smacks of retaliation at the expense of our veteran population."

"For a long time I sat next to the mayor right here, and I heard her bang the table and talk about, how come the council doesn't have a voice, how come the council's not involved?" Knight said at an emergency meeting Sept. 25. "Well, it's the same old song and dance, with a different lead singer."

Previously: Medford Gets Outside Help For Veterans Services Work

Medford City Council Questions Removal Of Veterans Services Head