Baton Rouge Mayor Sharon Weston Broome acknowledged in a radio interview Tuesday that a former top aide resigned amid an investigation.
And while she didn't directly address accusations that former assistant Chief Administrative Officer Courtney Scott hit somebody with a chair, Broome did say she does "not condone violence," especially among her staff.
“And when I heard of this incident I immediately took action when I heard about it,” Broome said .
As first reported by h, Broome's office and other city leaders received emails last month accusing Scott of hitting local activist and member of Baton Rouge's Alcoholic Beverage Control Board Walter "Geno" McLaughlin in the head with a chair at Baton Rouge's Sky Lounge on June 18.
Last week, Mark Armstrong, a spokesperson for Broome, said Scott had recently resigned from her post but did not say why, referring additional questions to the parish attorney's office.
"There was an investigation that took place — that started to take place," Broome said Tuesday, though she did not spell out what agency was investigating Scott or what was being looked into.
"And it was not long after that investigation that Ms. Scott decided that it was best that she resign," Broome said. "So, I took action.”
After learning of allegations against Scott shortly after June 18, h repeatedly asked Broome's administration for weeks about the employment status of the assistant CAO. Each time, Armstrong referred inquiries to the parish attorney's office.
On July 23, Armstrong said Scott had resigned, an acknowledgment made only after the parish attorney's office denied a public records request by h for her disciplinary records because "it was under investigation." The parish attorney's office didn't specify what kind of investigation.
In Tuesday's radio interview, Broome emphasized that her administration took action.
“She chose the path — rightfully so — to resign," Broome said. "And that’s the end of the story.”
She also addressed claims that her administration had been less than transparent in its recent handling of allegations against Scott.
“Let’s dismiss any type of thoughts or rhetoric about me not wanting to be transparent," she said. "I have built my administration on transparency.”
