Claims Playford council boss was suspended over bullying claims after an internal “coup” plot
The state’s highest paid council boss was suspended over bullying claims after an internal “coup” plot, it is claimed, as the local authority brings in a fourth law firm to help battle the mounting crisis.
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The state’s highest paid council boss was suspended over bullying claims after an internal “coup” plot, it is claimed, as the local authority brings in a fourth law firm to help battle the mounting crisis.
Playford Council chief executive officer Mal Hemmerling was suspended on full pay from his $366,287-a-year job almost a fortnight ago.
His suspension, which occurred after a secret council meeting and during election caretaker mode, followed him being accused of harassing a junior female worker.
As the former Grand Prix supremo threatens legal action, The Advertiser has learned of fresh allegations of “senior management infighting and (a) staff divided”.
Dr Hemmerling, 72, was replaced by his deputy Sam Green, 42, who earns $273,270 with a ratepayer-funded car.
Several well-placed sources claim the crisis was brought to a head by an internal “coup”. Once Dr Hemmerling was stood down, Mr Green was promoted while on sick leave despite facing suspension over claims he, and another senior manager, blundered in handling the harassment complaint.
Dr Hemmerling, of Stirling, signed a three-year contract in September 2015, and signed a 12-month extension in July.
Sources said his contracts have “never run in any synergy” with Mr Green’s, who Dr Hemmerling did not anoint “in any way … as his preferred successor”. The new elected council, made up mostly of new councillors, will vote on a new chief executive next year.
Dr Hemmerling’s July incident with the young staffer came after his contract extension. It was initially resolved by informal mediation before Mr Green and the other senior manager took it over, launching several internal inquiries into bullying, harassment and other workplace issues. Ratepayers have been hit with a bill of more than $200,000 for the investigations. The council has instructed a fourth law firm, Norman Waterhouse. Mr Green was yesterday asked through a council spokesman whether he was involved in any “coup” plot. The spokesman refused to comment. Dr Hemmerling, who denies any wrongdoing, also refused comment. But his lawyer, Greg Griffin, said his client was distraught.
“Having worked tirelessly to take Playford to the next level … he is deeply disappointed by what has happened,” he said.
“He feels it is a slight on 40 years of public service.” Mr Griffin described it as “Game of Thrones meets Seinfeld”. Neither Mr Green, of Prospect, nor mayor Glenn Docherty have returned calls.
In a statement, a council spokesman would not comment on a “confidential process established by the elected body”. “(Its) primary concern is for the wellbeing and privacy of all parties involved — including Dr Hemmerling — during an ongoing investigation regarding sensitive and serious workplace allegations,” he said.