HomeMy WebLinkAboutBoard of Ethics Ethics complaint against DCD Anna BentleyFrom:Daniel Carty
To:Mike Maas; Sara Rushing; Mark Bond; Kristin Taylor
Cc:Chuck Winn; Greg Sullivan; Terry Cunningham; Agenda
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Board of Ethics: Ethics complaint against DCD Anna Bentley
Date:Friday, March 8, 2024 10:40:12 AM
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(Note: Please place the following ethics complaint in the Board of Ethics folder on the City's
public comment webpage. Thank you.)
Mar 8, 2024; 10:40am
To: Mike Maas, City Clerk and Staff Liaison to the Board of Ethics; and Board of Ethicsmembers (Sara Rushing, Chair; Mark Bond; and Kristin Taylor)
Subject: Ethics complaint against Anna Bentley, Director Community Development
Introduction: I am writing to file an ethics complaint against Anna Bentley, the City ofBozeman's (City) Director of Community Development (DCD). I am submitting this
complaint solely as an individual and resident of Bozeman. My complaint is based on the
unprofessional—and arguably unethical—behavior DCD Bentley exhibited in the leaked
City Manager-Director of Community Development (CM-DCD) video(https://rumble.com/v4a96it-bozeman-leadership.html) that first came to the notice of
Bozeman residents on Jan 31 - Feb 1, 2024.
Specifics of ethics complaint: My ethics complaint against DCD Anna Bentley comprisesthe following three arguments:
(1) Arguably, the leaked CM-DCD video shows DCD Bentley violating the City's four core
values of Integrity (be honest, hardworking, reliable, and accountable to the public),
Leadership (take initiative, lead by example, and be open to innovative ideas),
Service (work unselfishly for our community and its citizens), and Teamwork (respectothers, welcome citizen involvement, and work together to achieve the best result) as these
core values are listed and described on page 3 of the City of Bozeman Ethics Handbook. https://www.bozeman.net/home/showpublisheddocument/480/638429195435070000
(2) Arguably, DCD Bentley violated the following standards of conduct listed in the City of
Bozeman Ethics Handbook, Section 6. Standards of Conduct (page 7), (1) "Act morally andhonestly in discharging their responsibilities," and (2) "Discharge their duties impartially and
fairly."
(3) Arguably, DCD Bentley violated the spirit and intent—if not the letter—of City of
Bozeman Ethics Handbook, Section 7. Can Employees or Officials Use City Resources for
Personal Gain? (page 7), which states "The City Code of Ethics clearly states employeesand officials are not permitted the use of city-owned vehicles, equipment, material, or theuse of other city resources for personal use." The leaked video clearly shows that Ms.Bentley was an equal participant in her conversation with former City Manager JeffMihelich, in which both made disparaging comments about their co-workers, CityCommissioners, and the public. Moreover, during that conversation, Ms. Bentley had noguaranteed expectation of privacy because she and Mr. Mihelich were conducting City
business (e.g., discussing a future City meeting) on City-issued electronic devices while onCity time.
Disciplinary action requested: In the City of Bozeman Ethics Handbook, Section 16.
What are the Penalties for Violating the Code of Ethics? (page 15), it states: "All employees
and officials must understand that a violation of the City or State Code of Ethics could lead
to disciplinary action including termination, removal from office, or even criminal sanctions.
While there are provisions in state code for violations of state law (2-2-144, MCA), a
violation of the City Code of Ethics, in addition to termination or removal from office, could
be prosecuted as a misdemeanor under the Bozeman Municipal Code’s general penalty
provision (see 1.01.210, BMC)." If the Board of Ethics convenes to evaluate my complaint
and finds DCD Bentley violated the City's Code of Ethics in any or all of the three ways I
argue above, then I ask that DCD Bentley's employment with the City of Bozeman
be terminated.
Conclusion: Ultimately, DCD Bentley's equal participation in the CM-DCD video has negated her
professional credibility and any possibility that she can sufficiently discharge her duties in the
future. The bottom line is that DCD Bentley got caught acting unprofessionally and—
arguably—unethically while on City time, and for those reasons her employment with theCity of Bozeman should be terminated.
Daniel Carty
213 N. Third Ave.Bozeman, MT 59715
dgc12@hotmail.com
406-548-2810
cc's: Chuck Winn, Acting City Manager; Greg Sullivan, City Attorney; Terry Cunningham,Mayor; and agenda@bozeman.net for the public record