MILWAUKEE — Two leaders of Milwaukee's host committee for the 2020 Democratic National Convention have been fired after an anonymous letter accused them of creating a toxic workplace.
In a letter sent to Mayor Tom Barrett and obtained by TODAY'S TMJ4, senior women from the host committee claim Chief of Staff "Adam Alonso has consistently bullied and intimidated staff members."
"His mismanagement of the Host Committee, enabled by Liz Gilbert, has created a toxic and unstable working environment that we will not allow to continue," read the letter.
The Board of Directors of the Milwaukee 2020 Host Committee have now issued the following statement:
"Every employee has a right to feel respected in their workplace. Based on the information we have learned to date, we believe the work environment did not meet the ideals and expectations of the Milwaukee 2020 Host Committee Board of Directors. Accordingly, Liz Gilbert and Adam Alonso are no longer employed by the organization, effective immediately. The work of the Milwaukee 2020 Host Committee is critically important—but that work cannot be accomplished unless members of the staff can work collaboratively. The Board is committed to an inclusive and supportive environment at the Host Committee, and will work to ensure that all employees live up to these ideals. For that reason the Board will continue our impartial, third-party investigation and will take additional steps as needed to ensure the Host Committee’s office culture reflects respect and dignity for each and every employee. Wisconsin resident and convention veteran, Teresa Vilmain, will step in to manage the day-to-day operations during this transition period."
The host committee is in charge of raising $70 million, finding 15,000 volunteers and thousands of vendors and venues to host a variety of events during the DNC.