Delgaudio Case: Were Loudoun County hiring policies violated?

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Last edited Wed Jul 2, 2014, 12:54 PM - Edit history (1)

Your tax dollars at work. See: Dismissed: Recall effort against Delgaudio tossed out

Let's start with video taken for a segment on DC's channel, Fox 5. Don't give me a bunch of grief because this is a Fox-owned station. The Fox local stations that broadcast over the air are a different organization than Fox News. I've been watching channel 5 since it was part of the DuMont network.

Anyway, someone stuck a camera in Delgaudio's face, and he couldn't resist:

Effort to remove Loudoun County supervisor fails

The money quote starts at 1:40.

{John Henrehen, the narrator of the segment:} Reporters asked the now-cleared supervisor whether he thinks it's proper during a job interview to ask people about their religion and where they stand on gay marriage.

"I'm not exactly about my positions on traditional values, so why would I want someone to work for me that's shy on defending traditional values?"

As much as this guy is screwing the public, can't he at least buy them dinner?

Delgaudio Case: Were Loudoun County hiring policies violated?

Wednesday, Jul. 2, 2014 by Trevor Baratko

Court documents filed June 24 related to the now-dismissed recall petition against Loudoun County Supervisor Eugene Delgaudio suggest Delgaudio may have broken county hiring policy by asking a Sterling woman seeking a public position her views on homosexuality, politics and religion.

In an interview with the Times-Mirror, Delgaudio (R-Sterling) did not dispute that he asked questions about social issues, gay marriage and religion while interviewing the woman for a county-funded position, and a formal investigation into Delgaudio's office by Arlington Commonwealth's Attorney Theo Stamos found the “supervisor did ask potential staffers their views on a number of politically sensitive subjects." ... Donna Mateer, the woman interviewed by the controversial supervisor in 2011, said that during her conversation Delgaudio asked about her “religious beliefs, political choices, marriage and homosexuals.”
....

When then-County Attorney Jack Roberts was asked in late June whether it would be legal for a supervisor to ask someone their religion and views on sexual orientation while interviewing that person for a legislative aide position, Roberts said simply “no comment.” ... On further questioning, county spokeswoman Robin Geiger said “county supervisors and managers are expected to comply with all applicable county policies and procedures when interviewing employees for county positions.” ... Delgaudio and his attorney, Charles King, say asking someone their sexual orientation or religion during an interview for a legislative aide position isn't illegal because the post is a “political appointment.” ... Moreover, “The Commonwealth does not believe that probing about an individual's political and religious beliefs during an interview for a political appointment constitutes misuse of office,” Stamos stated in her motion to dismiss, which was granted June 24.
....

Legislative aides for county supervisors are publicly funded, “at will” employees who are not entitled to the same workplace protections as other county staff.

Contact the writer at [e-mail].

See also: Want a government job? What’s your religion?