Overview
- Mayor Daniel Lurie has recommended the removal of Kimberly Ellis, head of the Department on the Status of Women, citing ethics concerns and a confidential investigation.
- Ellis allegedly failed to disclose outside income from PowerPACPlus and bypassed competitive bidding processes to award contracts to organizations tied to personal connections.
- A lawsuit filed by Ellis on April 1 claims retaliation for reporting misconduct and denies any wrongdoing, framing her suspension as politically motivated.
- The Commission on the Status of Women, which oversees Ellis, is meeting in closed session to vote on her potential dismissal, as required by the city charter.
- Ellis's tenure has been marked by high staff turnover and accusations of fostering a culture of intimidation, alongside a controversial shift in the department's focus toward political advocacy.