Michigan Public Official Placed on Paid Leave After Sexual Harrasment, Verbal Abuse Accusation

East Lansing City Manager Robert Belleman was placed on paid administrative leave on 27 May, days after the city council released an independent investigation that found he had not violated city policy or law in connection with workplace harassment allegations.

The unanimous decision came after the council returned from a lengthy closed session on 26 May. Members authorised the city to retain East Lansing-based Thrun Law Firm as independent legal counsel and ordered Belleman to appoint an acting city manager.

The motion said Belleman would remain on leave 'until initial questions identified in close session are answered'. The council did not publicly explain what those questions were.

Interim Fire Chief John Newman was subsequently appointed acting city manager. The city's official announcement said the council had placed Belleman on leave while an investigation was conducted by independent legal counsel.

The move followed a turbulent week for East Lansing officials after grant coordinator Erica Dziedzic-Hernandez publicly accused Belleman of sexual harassment and verbal abuse during a 19 May council meeting.

Employee Makes Public Allegations

Dziedzic-Hernandez told councillors that she had previously used the city's internal process to report Belleman's alleged conduct in 2025.

'In 2025, Robert sexually harassed me and was verbally abusive towards me,' she said.

She also alleged that Belleman called her 'Too Easy' and described interactions in which she felt intimidated and worried about her employment. She urged councillors to intervene, saying: 'I ask this council to do what the previous councils could not. I ask you to break the cycle of abuse and hold the city manager accountable.'

Dziedzic-Hernandez's complaint had been filed in September 2025. The city hired the Miller Canfield law firm in October to conduct an independent investigation, which was completed in November.

The resulting 13-page report did not substantiate claims of sex- or gender-based harassment, leering or targeted bullying. Investigators said the evidence did support findings that Belleman could be stern, raise his voice, show frustration and repeatedly question Dziedzic-Hernandez during several meetings, but concluded that the conduct did not meet the investigators' interpretation of screaming or berating.

Investigation Raises Workplace Culture Concerns

Although the investigation cleared Belleman of violating city policy or law, it raised broader concerns about his management style.

Investigators described a 'general culture issue' within Belleman's leadership team. Interviews with employees reportedly included descriptions of his management style as a 'dressing down' or 'rapid fire questioning', while one witness said he could 'bark at people now and then'.

The investigators recommended leadership development, periodic workplace climate assessments and professional communication training for Belleman. The city said he had subsequently been working with an executive leadership expert.

Belleman told the Lansing State Journal that he had received the investigative report from the city attorney but declined to comment further. He also apologised to 'the city's workforce' during a council meeting.

The situation later moved beyond administrative leave. On 16 June, East Lansing City Council approved a separation agreement with Belleman, ending his tenure less than three years after he was hired in 2023. Annette Irwin was appointed to take over as interim city manager, while Newman had served as acting manager during Belleman's leave.