CHICAGO (CBS) — Documents obtained by CBS News Chicago indicated a pattern of complaints of misogyny, sexual harassment and other misconduct by a now-fired communications director for Mayor Brandon Johnson.
Ronnie Reese started as the mayor’s press secretary the day Mayor Johnson took office in May 2023. He was promoted to communications director earlier this year.
Documents reveal four complaints against Reese between May 2023 and July 2024 – all filed anonymously out of fear of retaliation.
A complaint to the Department of Human Resources stated that Reese fired seven members of the mayor’s press office and blacklisted three former employees by placing them on the “do not hire” list – creating an atmosphere of retaliation ensued.
The complainant went on to say that during a farewell party at Bar Allegro downtown, Reese “hugged me, then sat on my right side and put his right arm around me with his hand on my shoulder, pulling me into him.” against mine and his knee against mine |.
This complainant also accused Reese of making misogynistic comments — from responding condescendingly to women’s questions and treating them more harshly than men under his watch, to calling a Chicago Tribune reporter “so damn stupid.”
Furthermore, the complaint said Reese spoke disparagingly about Jews.
“In one disturbing incident, Reese walked into my office, closed the door, sat down and said, without any context, Jews…,” the complaint said. “His inappropriate and anti-Semitic comments made me deeply uncomfortable.”
There were also references to Reese publishing a homophobic tweet, using derogatory nicknames for coworkers like “Scary Smurf,” and treating people differently based on their weight.
Mark Pando, an equal opportunity employment officer at the Chicago Department of Human Resources, began communicating with the mayor’s chief of staff, Cristina Pacione-Zayas, about the complaints about Reese’s conduct, documents show.
The communication documented an anonymous complaint that said Reese has “a pattern of misogynistic, xenophobic, homophobic and anti-Latinx behavior,” and another that said Reese “created a hostile work environment” around race and claimed he was “untouchable.” was.
However, the communication indicated that the Department of Human Resources could not investigate the complaints because they were anonymous. The department instead made recommendations that Reese attend coaching, treat all staff equally, refrain from physical contact with staff, such as hugs, and avoid referring to categories such as sexual orientation and race unless it was part of an official assignment.
The recommendations also recommended that Reese take two online courses — one on the city’s EEO policy, the other titled “Creating a Respectful Workplace” — and urged that Reese be warned that he could face challenges as a high-level supervisor could get with a higher level of discipline. .
In late October, Pacione-Zayas sent a letter to Reese informing him that he would be fired effective November 5. But before that, Reese was allowed to take ten days of paid leave.
Based on the documents, it is not clear whether Mayor Johnson himself was aware of the problems involving Reese.
CBS News Chicago reached out to Mayor Johnson’s office for clarification but had not heard back as of late Wednesday.
