Termination of Former Construction Code Official Upheld

The termination of the city's former construction code official, Al Arezzo, has been upheld by the Civil Service Commission, the city announced on Tuesday. 

Arezzo, who was suspended and terminated in 2011, has sued the city and is still involved in ongoing litigation. Arrezo's license was revoked by the Civil Service Commission earlier this year.

According to the city's announcement, Arezzo was suspended because he didn't attend a mandatory sexual harassment training as well as "interference with his subordinates' attendance at that training and insubordinate behavior towards the City’s Business Administrator," which at that point was Arch Liston.

Arezzo's termination followed, according to the city, after "retaliatory destruction of City owned property, including the destruction of a laptop hard drive which contained information regarding public matters.

The Civil Service Commission ultimately ruled that "such an egregious act by a long term employee in a position of public trust cannot be tolerated and is worthy of removal."

The city is still looking for Arezzo's permanent replacement.

"We are continuing with our search for a permanent construction code official and invite applications from all qualified individuals,” Mayor Dawn Zimmer said. “While the process can be lengthy and costly, the City will continue to vigorously defend itself to protect the interests of our community."