After several months, the ongoing investigation surrounding
Bradford Housing Authority Executive Director Shelley Whitman has
ended with “inconclusive results,” according to a fax from her
Harrisburg attorney.
Faxed to The Era Thursday afternoon, Gerald Robinson of the law
firm Robinson & Geraldo said Whitman and the authority have
“mutually agreed that the executive director will not return to
employment with the housing authority.”
The fax adds that Whitman’s “failure to return as executive
director is in no way an admission of malfeasance or impropriety
and no charges will be pursued by the housing authority.”
Robinson said the authority, its solicitor Bob Saunders and
Whitman were able to reach a resolution for “the benefit of all
parties involved” and have chosen to end their employment
relationship.
There was no exact word on what brought about the parting of
ways.
Last August, Whitman was suspended with pay by the authority
after it launched an investigation into an unspecified matter. In
response, Whitman and Robinson indicated the authority failed to
provide a specific reason for its actions, claiming the matter
could be a violation of Whitman’s civil service rights.
That month, the authority started auditing its books and
operation as part of the investigation. The authority used an
independent auditor to perform the task.
When reached for comment Thursday afternoon at his law office,
Saunders said the fax spoke for itself, adding a search for a
replacement “will begin as soon as it’s practical.”
Asked if there was going to be any more action in the case and
what inconclusive results meant, Saunders replied “that’s it
(result of the investigation) to the extent that there may be more
coming from the housing authority.”
A call left seeking comment for authority Chairman Terry Lopus
at his home Thursday night was not immediately returned.
There was no clear indication on exactly when a new director
might be hired or who that person might be.
Following an authority meeting last month, Lopus told The Era
“the end result (of the investigation) appears that we (authority)
will be looking for a new executive director.” Lopus added that it
was an unfortunate situation for everybody involved and all the
parties had been working to bring the case to finality.
Officials originally indicated a decision in the matter could be
reached by the authority’s February meeting, but the decision came
down Thursday.
Now, the authority will be charged with finding a replacement
for Whitman and will likely begin advertising soon.
While the investigation was ongoing, the McKean County Housing
Authority in Smethport was supervising the city’s authority on a
temporary basis.
Whitman oversaw the city’s public housing units and Section 8
programs on a daily basis and had originally told The Era she
planned on fighting the authority’s decision.
The authority has housing units on Bushnell and South Center
streets and Brookline Court. The agency is just one of several
authorities under the auspices of the City of Bradford.
