Global Courant
A top Rhode Island official announced his resignation Thursday, closing part of an investigation into allegations of misconduct, including racially and ethnically charged remarks and requests for special treatment, during a business trip to Philadelphia earlier this year.
The investigation focused on David Patten’s visit to a state contractor, Scout Ltd., on March 10. Patten served as state director of asset management and maintenance in the Department of Administration.
After the trip, Scout officials wrote an email claiming what they described as bizarre and offensive behavior by Patten.
RHODE ISLAND SENATE APPROVES $14 BILLION BUDGET PROPOSAL FOR FY 2024
On Thursday, Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee called for Patten’s resignation.
An aide to McKee pointed to a staff investigation that he said highlighted Patten’s “deeply inappropriate behavior, which was troubling, completely unacceptable, and not representative of Rhode Island values or the integrity of our state employees.”
Patten, through his attorney Michael Lynch, announced his decision to step down Thursday, effective June 30.
Lynch said in a statement that his client’s behavior “was the result of a health problem called an acute stress event – culminating in several events over the past 3 years for which he has been treated and cleared to return to work. “
“While a simple apology is never enough, Mr. Patten apologizes to the residents of Rhode Island,” Lynch added. “He also apologizes to the many individuals in Philadelphia he met in March who unfortunately received comments that resulted from Mr. Patten suffering this acute stress event.”
Patten’s alleged violations were detailed in the Scout email released in response to calls from The Providence Journal and WPRI-TV.
Talking to a doctor who helped the poor, Patten is said to have asked, “When you go to the bars at night, you have to turn down the women.” The doctor said he was happily married. When Patten pressed his heritage, the doctor said he was Jewish, apparently prompting Patten to say “mazel tov” and that according to the email, he knew Jewish people in Brooklyn.
While visiting a shoe store, Patten was offered sneakers. After receiving the pair, he reportedly said, “Are these made in China? I hope not, because I really hate China,” then turned his attention to a female Asian member of staff and said, “No offense, honey. “
The email said that Patten was pressuring other companies to let him take stuff for himself.
Rhode Island Department of Administration official David Patten has announced his resignation amid allegations of workplace misconduct. The announcement comes just one day after Democratic Gov. Dan McKee (pictured) called on Patten to step down. (AP Photo/David Goldman, File)
“Patten insisted on almost every visit to take home something from the tenant, whether that be vegan cheese, hand-blown glass, or a pair of sneakers,” the email read.
Patten had been on paid leave for three days after the trip. As part of his resignation, the state will continue to pay a portion of his health insurance until September 30.
McKee spoke to reporters about the incident and Patten’s resignation on Friday.
“We expect more from our state employees than the behavior Mr. Patten is now apologizing for in Philadelphia,” McKee said. “I don’t expect people who behave like this to be employed by the state of Rhode Island.”
McKee said his hands were tied earlier in the process when the incident was reviewed by human resources, adding that “the investigation was as thorough and expeditious as possible.”
McKee said the situation began during the March 10 trip to Philadelphia when a report on Patten’s conduct was sent to Human Resources, prompting the initial investigation.
Two days later, the state received an email from Scout claiming to have engaged in “bizarre, offensive” behavior that was “patently sexist, racist, and unprofessional.”
On March 14, Patten’s access to state computer systems and cell phones was locked down.
RHODE ISLAND COUNCILMAN Caught With Crack Cocaine Pipe In Hand, Now Charged With Child Abuse
“I personally called Scout Management to apologize for the behavior that was reported,” McKee said, adding that he also offered to speak to anyone Scout asked him to call as governor to also apologize. to offer.
In April, McKee said his legal department had referred the case to state law enforcement. That investigation is still ongoing, he said.
On May 30, Patten’s doctor cleared him to return to work. Instead, he was placed on paid administrative leave to continue the human resources investigation, the governor said.
McKee called for Patten’s resignation on Thursday. Patten announced his resignation and the human resources investigation was suspended.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Patten earned more than $174,000 annually.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24464629/236552_Best_iPhone_for_most_people.jpg?w=150&resize=150,150&ssl=1 "The best iPhone to buy in 2023")
