LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg filed a motion Thursday to dismiss an ethics complaint filed by the former executive director of the Jefferson County Republican Party.
The complaint – filed by Michael Haming in October – alleges Greenberg violated two of the city’s ethics codes. Haming, citing reports published by the Courier-Journal, claims some of the mayor’s office summer interns received unwarranted advantages and that the mayor’s wife was using city resources in violation of Louisville's nepotism code.
On Thursday, Greenberg moved to dismiss the complaint saying it is seemingly based on a childhood grudge. In an interview with the Courier, Haming said his distaste for favoritism began “in little league baseball seeing a coach’s son get preferential treatment.”
“Haming himself acknowledged [in the interview] that his motivation for filing the complaint was his frustration over not getting to play second base on a little league baseball team,” the mayor wrote. “Haming’s coaches at the time were Michael Gritton…as well as Haming’s father.”
Gritton, executive director of Kentuckiana Works, which oversees the SummerWorks program, is listed in Haming’s ethics complaint. Greenberg said these omissions indicate Haming “is not acting in good faith.”
What does the ethics complaint allege?
The complaint lists Mariana Barzun, executive director of Greenberg’s Office of Philanthropy – whose family contributed to Greenberg’s mayoral campaign – and the mayor’s former boss at 21c Hotel, Steve Wilson, who also donated to the campaign and was later appointed as chairman of Greenberg’s inauguration committee.
Both Barzun’s daughter and Wilson’s granddaughter were hired as interns with the Metro’s SummerWorks program, according to the Courier’s report.
The program, which is administered through Kentuckiana Works, helps the city’s youth get connected to summer jobs, career opportunities and supportive needs. Haming says Kentuckiana Works Executive Director Michael Gritton also donated to Greenberg’s campaign.
Greenberg said the only eligibility for the SummerWorks internship are that applicants need to be 16-21 years old and a Louisville residence.
“Every applicant who applied for a SummerWorks internship was accepted and no one was excluded,” the mayor said. “All were paid the same rate of $15 per hour. SummerWorks does not means test interns.”
Haming’s complaint also said the mayor is violating the city’s nepotism code, alleging Greenberg’s wife Rachel is utilizing city resources.
Louisville’s nepotism provision prohibits an elected official from giving preference to a family member for a job over someone more qualified or paying a family member more money than others in a similar role, the mayor’s office said.
“First Lady Greenberg is not paid,” Greenberg asserted. “She volunteers her time and services on behalf of the people of Louisville.”
He said in the past, the spouse of the Mayor of Louisville has been given the title of First Lady and they engage in similar volunteer activities.
“It is absurd to suggest that Mayor Greenberg should have considered someone besides his wife to fill the role of First Lady,” the mayor’s office said.
But Haming said, “Regardless if she is paid direct compensation, she is clearly using government resources in furtherance of her job.”
Greenberg said his wife does not manage any staff who report to her, but like other volunteers, she interacts with other employees in connection to her volunteer activities “in accordance with Ethics rules.” He said she does use a space in the Mayor’s office, but it’s not dedicated for her use.
“She was assigned a parking space at Metro Hall for security reasons. She also has the use of a laptop and a Louisvilleky.gov email address to ensure compliance with open records laws,” Greenberg added. “All are permitted under the Ethics rules.”
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