Here’s some of the stuff we’re learning about Dr. Gilles Meloche, the director of Metro Animal Services, and the recent winner of a Golden Poo award from us. The category: Worst Example of Total Incompetence from a Local or State Official in an Appointed Post.
He earned that dubious award for a string of bad behavior related to his administration of his department. This includes his recent series of denials, in June, that his agency was under investigation by the state after allegations of mismanagement and overcrowding surfaced. Mayor Jerry Abramson hired Meloche in 2005.
We’ve heard all kinds of rumors about Meloche’s rude treatment of staff, but never had anything to back that up. Until now.
It concerns an employee, Dawn Marie Simpson. We’ve tried to reach her without success, but learned recently that she’s no longer working for MAS. We obtained these records through an Open Records Request.
Read the Rest of This Mess After the Jump…
Last July 30, she filed a formal sexual harassment complaint against Meloche. An excerpt:
I have been subjected to or witnessed many instances of inappropriate sexual behavior from Dr. Meloche. At first, like many others, I chalked his offensive behavior up to cultural differences based on his French-Canadian background. However, his disrespectful behavior makes me feel that he does not view me as an educated, experienced asset to his team and that he doesn’t take my work or input as seriously as my male counterparts.
Simpson provides two examples in her complaint. In one, she says she was discussing challenges in her work as an Animal Control Manager. She writes that Meloche reacted by hugging her, kissing her on the neck and sarcastically saying “Awww….poor baby.” In the other instance, she claims Meloche told her, during a business meeting, that “I always spend so much time looking at your brain I never noticed you had such beautiful legs. You should show those more often.”
After an investigation, Meloche received a written reprimand on Jan. 12, 2009 which said Simpson’s complaint had been substantiated, and Meloche was ordered to get counseling. The reprimand was signed by deputy mayor William Summers. It warned Meloche that he could be fired if there were further complaints.
But Simpson claims that she was subjected to retailiation for making the complaint in July. In September, she filed a complaint with Metro’s Human Resources department, claiming that immediately following her sexual harassment complaint, she began receiving hostile e-mails from Meloche and was reprimaned on Aug. 14, 2008 for failing to “include an individuals’ name on an e-mail.”
HR Compliance Director Karen Adams wrote on Dec. 22 that Simpson’s retaliation complaints had been investigated but could not be subtantiated.
On October 21, Simpson wrote to Asst. Director Wayne Zelinsky to complain about the hostile work environment. She wrote of an instance in which Meloche criticized her after someone she knew asked Meloche a question at a Mayor’s Community Conversation.
UPDATE FROM JAKE: CLICK HERE for a copy of the open records request. (Warning: PDF Link)
22 responses so far ↓
1 James // Aug 14, 2009 at 12:48 pm
The level of incompetence that exists at Metro Goverment is baffling. It starts at the top and trickles on down.
2 Ann All // Aug 14, 2009 at 1:36 pm
It’s no secret croneyism allows folks that wouldn’t be able to get hired elsewhere a government job. But Louisville appears to have made a string of spectacularly bad hires.
3 David Harpe // Aug 14, 2009 at 2:09 pm
Just another day in Possibility City.
4 Thinknaloud // Aug 14, 2009 at 2:58 pm
Does Meloche have to bite the heads off of baby chicks or run naked through the Ville before somebody puts an end to this madness?
He’s done enough to get a dozen people fired. Who and what does he know that’s keeping him in his position and enabling him to continue his reign of incompetence, arrogance and sick behavior? What else is going to surface?
Of all the bad hires by Mayor-for-life or until he decides to make a bid to mess up state government, this one is the most egregious. Not only because of the surfacing sexual harassment issues, but because of the span of time over which all this has taken place. Homeless animals have suffered under his direction where people had every reason to expect they would be treated humanely. He has withheld medical treatment and allowed animals to suffer until they die. This is not only inhumane, it’s illegal. And just because it was the director of animal control who did it doesn’t negate that law. And when dedicated employees complained, he has fired them.
Because of his twisted interpretation and implementation of our animal ordinance, untold numbers of people and their pets have been harmed. People’s pets have been lost while under his watch, killed by mistake and even spayed when told they were already spayed and owners charged for the surgery. Untold numbers of adopted animals have been sick and in need of medical attention.
Staff has been demoralized to the point of not knowing which way to turn. Reports of mismanagement from employees and volunteers are rampant. Records are either manipulated or missing. Audits drag on and the county attorney’s office fails to answer questions that they are legally obligated to address.
Metro Louisville is so full of corruption there is only one way to clean house and that is the creation of an independent Office of the Inspector General. KRS67C.103(13) says that “all legislative powers of a consolidated local government are vested in the consolidated local government council. The term “legislative power” is to be construed broadly. I see no good reason for a wayward Mayor to have gotten away with as much as ours has. Therefore I’m left to the conclusion that there seems to be a lack of will or courage by our council. Prove me wrong.
5 Thinknaloud // Aug 14, 2009 at 3:07 pm
Yeah David, the possibility of more corruption and abuse of power.
6 mike // Aug 14, 2009 at 3:25 pm
“Worst Example of Total Incompetence from a Local of State Official in an Appointed Post” – Worst Example of Total Incompetence with a keyboard.
7 bigdaddy // Aug 14, 2009 at 4:06 pm
Why has he not been fired? Does he have naked pictures of someone?
8 Rico // Aug 14, 2009 at 4:37 pm
Anybody done an open records request for all Union Grievances filed at Animal Control? The workers are represented by AFSCME 2629. I would suggest asking for all grievances and Meloche’s, Lynn Fleming’s and County Attorney responses as well as a Mediation responses. Might be interesting….
9 EdenSprings // Aug 14, 2009 at 7:17 pm
bigdaddy: Yep. Guess who? My baloney has a first name, it’s J-E-R-R-Y…
Rico: Awesome tip! Thanks for the head’s up on that. Will get right on it.
10 templar of truth // Aug 14, 2009 at 9:01 pm
Has anybody looked into the credibility of the person who made this claim?? It will be surprising when HER story comes out…..and there is plenty to it.
11 AreYouKiddingMe // Aug 14, 2009 at 10:14 pm
If any of you want to see first hand the deplorable conditions these animals are living in, I urge you to attend the Adoption event this weekend, even if you aren’t particularly looking for a pet, just go and see for yourselves. It is almost more than I can take and it haunts you that these mostly dogs are suffering because of one man’s greed. These are or were someone’s loving pet at one time and they don’t understand what is happening to them. All he cares about is his paycheck. I’ve called and complained and it all falls on deaf ears. Abramson’s deaf ears.
12 EdenSprings // Aug 15, 2009 at 2:53 pm
templar of truth: Just fasten your seatbelt, honey. The man didn’t win that Pile of Poo award for nuttin!
13 Thinknaloud // Aug 15, 2009 at 7:04 pm
templar of truth, not: Simpson’s complaint was substantiated. That means that the folks who conducted the investigation found enough evidence to rule in her favor. They found her complaint credible.
Sounds like you know a lot about this situation. Maybe you can tell us if it’s true that Meloche has systematically gotten rid of as many union MAS workers as possible so he can intimidate non union workers without fear of grievences being filed against him. And maybe you can tell us if he intimidates new employess against joining the union.
I think when all of Meloche’s story comes out there’s going to plenty to it. I can hardly wait for the hearings to start in Jefferson County and with the Kentucky Board of Veterinary Examiners.
14 I'm not tellin' // Aug 15, 2009 at 8:22 pm
personal opinion backed up by first-hand experience (that shall remain anonymous, cuz I just might still be employed under the tyrant) – first action by newly elected mayor next year (if Big Jer isn’t forced into it sooner) is to send this schmuck packin’ back to good ole french canada land…
15 Crutnacker // Aug 15, 2009 at 10:27 pm
Sad. Just sad.
16 Bill // Aug 17, 2009 at 12:15 pm
One would almost think that Meloche is an illegal immigrant based on the fact that he seems to think that American unionized workers have no rights.
I think that its time to start a lawsuit against Louisville Metro. We should have more voice in this city than just a few people. Its Un American what these people are doing.
17 JTT // Aug 17, 2009 at 7:00 pm
How is it that Meloche was hired when he isn’t even a citizen? He isn’t part of the croney system – since he isn’t from here – so how did he manage to get into the job in the first place? I still hold he worked hard the day of the disaster, and I’ll note, NO CITY AGENCY is prepared for a disaster of this type. We have a brand new EOC and dispatch center, how did it work on this first disaster, anyone know?
18 JTT // Aug 17, 2009 at 7:00 pm
How is it that Meloche was hired when he isn’t even a citizen? He isn’t part of the croney system – since he isn’t from here – so how did he manage to get into the job in the first place? I still hold he worked hard the day of the disaster, and I’ll note, NO CITY AGENCY is prepared for a disaster of this type. We have a brand new EOC and dispatch center, how did it work on this first disaster, anyone know?
19 EdenSprings // Aug 18, 2009 at 10:18 am
JTT: Whadda think? Because he LIED on his job application! And, because someone (Mayor Happy Pants) put the fix in to cover it up. Why? Because Meloche has some dirt on Jerry. Why? Because they are both cut from the same disgusting mold. They probably both go zipper-fishing in the same back alley.
As for your apologist excuse “no city agency is prepared for a disaster of this type” I’ll point out that nobody had to pull floating fire trucks out of their stations or rescue LMPD officers drowning behind their desks. They were doing what they SHOULD have been doing: Helping citizens in need.
Stop apologizing for this man’s poo!
20 EdenSprings // Aug 18, 2009 at 10:43 am
Bill: Send Rick or Jake an email. There is a guy who posted on another story who IS filing a lawsuit over that very thing. He’s looking for other people who are ‘mad as hell and not gonna take it anymore’. They can hook you up with him…
The other thing that needs to happen is someone needs to get a law passed in Frankfort that allows us to impeach the son-of-a-gun. Right now, we are stuck with no recourse for this sort of behavior.
Plus, I just love the fact that Happy Pants is running for Lt. Gov. and his own citizens want to sue him. It’s the 21st-century version of a mob with tar & pitchforks.
21 Freedom100 // Aug 18, 2009 at 11:08 am
JTT: On the application for the position as Director of Animal Control and Protection it clearly states as a special requirement”Must be eligible for certification as a State Peace Officer”. That certification under state law requires the person to be a U.S. citizen, be 21 years of age or older and not have committed a crime of moral turpitude. On the front of the application there was a box that said” For positions which require ‘Peace Officer Status’ Only; check 21 or older -yes-no; U.S. Citizen- yes – no. ” Meloche left this blank. On the last page of the application above the signature it clearly states” I certify under penalty of law, that the information given in this application is correct and complete to the best of my knowledge. I am aware that, should investigation at any time show falsification, I will not be eligible for employment, and if already employed, subject to termination”. So much for applications. To add insult to injury Meloche went before Judge Audra Eckerly (sp) and took an oath to become a state peace officer- a position he held for over a year. Only when ,during a deposition, he was asked whether he was a peace officer and was asked to present documentation and he further said that he was not a U.S. citizen did someone tell him he better resign that position. That however, does not change the fact that he knew or should have known that he did not qualify as a state peace officer on at least two grounds and that he was not eligible to take an oath. Jerry should never have hired him based upon this initial omission. Once hired, he could have easily fired him. The big question is WH Y? I think EdenSprings is on to something.
22 Storm Clouds Brewing at Animal Services - FatLip // Oct 23, 2009 at 9:54 pm
[...] probably well aware that Meloche is being sued for sexual harassment charges (nothing new there), and that next week the first in a series of civil rights lawsuits will be filed against he and [...]
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