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D.C. Council Approves New Investigation of Bowser’s Former Top Aid, John Falcicchio

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The only investigation so far into sexual harassment allegations against John Falcicchio, formerly Mayor Muriel Bowser’s top aide, has been run by lawyers working for the mayor herself. More than four months after Falcicchio’s accusers first came forward, that’s about to change.

The Council voted unanimously Tuesday to order an independent investigation of Falcicchio, who served as Bowser’s chief of staff, deputy mayor for planning and economic development, and top political adviser. The legislation, backed by Ward 1 Councilmember Brianne Nadeau, directs a law firm managed by the city’s Office of the Inspector General to run the probe.

An initial inquiry run by Bowser’s attorneys at the Mayor’s Office of Legal Counsel has already substantiated some allegations leveled against Falcicchio by one city employee. And a second investigation of another government worker’s claims is set to be released in the coming weeks. Nadeau’s bill orders a review of both of those probes, in addition to a broader investigation of allegations that Falcicchio retaliated against women who rejected his advances and promoted women who didn’t. It could also include a review of any other allegations not covered by the mayor’s investigation, including those described to Loose Lips by a woman seeking city contracts. 

“There are widespread concerns about how the complaints [from these employees] were handled,” Nadeau said Tuesday. “We must ensure that their cases were handled properly.”

A majority of councilmembers called for an independent investigation of Falcicchio’s actions in the wake of Bowser’s release of the first report, which she dumped on a government website just before midnight on the Saturday of a holiday weekend (damaging confidence in her handling of the matter in the process). But Nadeau was the only councilmember to sign on to this bill initially, with Chair Phil Mendelson expressing reservations about an independent investigation as recently as late June. A lobbying blitz from Nadeau and other progressive activists ahead of the Council’s final meeting of the summer managed to bring every single lawmaker on board, a clear sign of the pressure Bowser is facing over the harassment scandal.

The legislation requires the OIG to deliver a report to the Council and mayor within 90 days, but it’s unclear when this new investigation will begin. The bill now heads to Bowser, who said Monday that she would not veto the legislation despite her continued opposition to another inquiry. “I don’t know that the legislation is necessary,” she told reporters, noting that she has already asked the OIG to scrutinize many of these same questions. “So if it’s not really actually necessary, is it just politically expedient for some members of the Council?”

For a closer look at what comes next for the investigation and how it will work, check out our full story online

Alex Koma (tips? akoma@washingtoncitypaper.com)

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By City Paper staff (tips? editor@washingtoncitypaper.com)

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By Alex Koma (tips? akoma@washingtoncitypaper.com)

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  • Water’s End Brewery continues its expansion, opening a new location at the Village at Leesburg. [WTOP]

By City Paper staff (tips? editor@washingtoncitypaper.com)

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By Sarah Marloff (tips? smarloff@washingtoncitypaper.com)

  • The Nationals directed their focus to college players in the early rounds of this year’s MLB Draft. [Post]
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By City Paper staff (tips? editor@washingtoncitypaper.com)

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