Fort Lauderdale commissioners have agreed to spend up to $25,000 on an outside attorney to investigate a complaint filed by a staffer against Commissioner Steve Glassman.
Jeri Pryor, chief of staff for Commissioner Warren Sturman, has accused Glassman of cursing at her backstage at The Parker after a controversial vote on Jan. 9.
Glassman says he cursed, but not at Pryor.
On Tuesday night, three of Fort Lauderdale’s five commissioners — Sturman, Pamela Beasley-Pittman and John Herbst — voted yes on hiring the outside attorney. Glassman recused himself from the vote.
Mayor Dean Trantalis voted no, arguing taxpayer money should not be spent to settle the F-bomb controversy when an apology would do.
“I don’t know what happened,” he said. “I really regret it being taken to this level. I just don’t support this.”
Beasley-Pittman countered: “We have an individual, a victim, who has made a request for an investigation. I don’t think it would be fair to that person. If someone has a complaint, it should be investigated.”
Glassman told commissioners he had not planned to speak, but wanted to say he took exception to the vice mayor’s use of the word victim.
“I very much look forward to the investigation,” Glassman added.
In a written complaint filed with the city on Jan. 11, Pryor accuses Glassman of verbal assault, claiming she was embarrassed, demeaned and humiliated.
The investigation will likely take two weeks, City Attorney Tom Ansbro told commissioners.
Ria Chattergoon, the Hollywood attorney hired to conduct the inquiry, will earn $350 an hour.
Resident Marc Dickerman was one of two residents to speak before the commission vote Tuesday night.
Dickerman said he was neutral, but looks forward to seeing the outcome of the investigation.
“Hopefully it’s going to be $25,000 well spent,” he said.
Susannah Bryan can be reached at sbryan@sunsentinel.com. Follow me on X @Susannah_Bryan