Anderson mayor denies ex-aide’s harassment complaint

Anderson Mayor Kris Ockomon has broken a yearlong silence on an employee's sexual harassment complaint, calling it "unfounded" and saying it won't affect his decision on whether to seek re-election.

Ockomon said the revelation of the complaint by The Herald Bulletin this week would have no bearing on his decision to seek a second term this year. He hasn't announced whether he'll run, but said, "We're still going to make that announcement. … We're still moving forward."

At least three Republicans have announced they will seek the office.

Teresa Spencer, the business manager for the Anderson Department of Parks and Recreation and formerly Ockomon's executive manager, has filed a discrimination complaint with the Indiana Civil Rights Commission and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission that is still in the investigative phase, the newspaper reported.

She alleged in a complaint dated Dec. 31, 2009, that Ockomon sexually harassed her over a period of years and retaliated when she complained.

Ockomon said he had respected the confidential nature of the investigation but decided to break his silence on the complaint after the newspaper reported it Monday.

"The unfounded accusations have caused a tremendous amount of stress and taken an emotional toll on my family and me," Ockomon said, reading a one-page statement in a city hall event attended by dozens of city employees and supporters Tuesday.

He denied any harassment occurred.

"I have never engaged in any behavior with any person which could in any way be remotely construed as sexual harassment," he said.

Spencer's complaint alleges Ockomon sexually harassed her beginning in November 2007.

Patsy Spencer, Teresa Spencer's mother-in-law who also served as Anderson's human resources director for six years under former Democratic Mayor J. Mark Lawler, has filed a notice of tort claim seeking $300,000 in damages against the city over allegations that Ockomon "accosted" her and her son, Greg Spencer, outside a park board meeting in September.

The claim alleges that Ockomon ordered police to remove the two from City Hall.

Ockomon previously characterized the Spencers' police escort from the building as being preceded by harsh words.