Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway has announced that she will remove Alder Charles Myadze from all five committees on which he serves, and has submitted appointments to replace him to the Common Council for approval.
Myadze, who represents District 18 on the city’s north side, also faces a censure resolution, which is expected to be adopted at the council’s December 10 meeting. The resolution cites sexual harassment allegations by three women — a city employee, a fellow alder, and a community nonprofit leader.
An outside investigation concluded that the allegations — which include descriptions of lewd and suggestive comments, as well as intimidation — are credible, but did not meet the city’s criteria to be called sexual harassment or a hostile work environment.
The complainants were anonymous in the investigative report, but Ald. Juliana Bennett said she was one of those who made a complaint.
Three other women — his ex wife and two former girlfriends — have also accused him of domestic violence. He has denied those allegations.
“I will say it again: no one who harasses or abuses women should be in a leadership position at any level of government. While such behavior may be normalized elsewhere, I would hope that in Madison we have higher standards,” Rhodes-Conway wrote in a statement issued Friday. ”
While the City does not have the same jurisdiction over independent elected officials that we do over City employees, that does not mean there are no consequences for such actions … The ultimate verdict on Alder Myadze’s behavior remains with the public and the political process. In the meantime, my primary concern is the safety of committee members who volunteer their time to serve our community. We must all recommit ourselves to ensure that Madison adheres to the highest standards of behavior and that we hold accountable anyone who violates those standards.”
Rhodes-Conway on Wednesday filed a report with the Common Council recommending Myadze be replaced on the Alcohol License Review Committee by Ald. Dina Nina Martinez-Rutherford, on the Board of Park Commissioners by Ald. Jael Currie, on the Greater Madison Metropolitan Planning Organization by Ald. MGR Govindaranjan, on the Sister City Collaboration Committee by Ald. Nikki Conklin and on the Water Utility Board by Ald. Regina Vidaver.
Both the censure resolution and the committee appointments will receive votes on December 10.
This story has been updated to clarify the process of removing Myadze from the committees and to include the mayor’s statement.
