The Southside Economic Development District (SEDD) met in special session Wednesday to address a formal complaint filed against its chairman, Tony Little, alleging sexual harassment and vendor kickbacks.
During an executive session, commissioners heard two charges against Little before returning to open session for deliberations. The board then voted unanimously to authorize SEDD attorney Brandon Creekbaum to investigate the complaint, which was filed by Monroe resident Mondrian Douglas.
Douglas said Attorney Creekbaum has forwarded the complaint of vendor kickbacks to the Monroe Police Departments, kickbacks that have been affirmed by SEDD board member and the vendor himself.
Douglas accuses Little of promising contract work to her with SEDD for over a year but subjecting her to sexual harassment in the aftermath. She claims that she has text messages, emails, and photos to support her allegations.
She said she also told Monroe Police investigators she witnessed Little collect cash payments from a vendor after inflating invoices.
Despite the seriousness of the accusations, a motion to suspend Little from his leadership role until the investigation is complete failed by a narrow 5–5 vote.
Those voting to allow Little to remain as president were:
- Tony Little
- Jessica DeTiege
- Herb Guillory
- Kenneth Hall
- Bishop Michael Douglas
Voting to suspend Little as president pending the outcome of the investigations were:
- Anna Reed
- T.J. Stevenson
- Monyea Hampton
- Karl Dhaliwal
- Roosevelt Wright, Jr.
Commissioner Wright said allowing Little to remain undermines public confidence in the district:
“Mr. Little should not serve as president while serious complaints of demanding kickbacks from vendors and sexual harassment are being investigated by the Monroe Police and the city attorney,” Wright stated.
Commissioner Dhaliwal, who operates 25 “76” brand convenience store locations, agreed that business standards demand accountability:
“It is standard procedure in business for a person accused of this level of offenses to step aside until cleared,” Dhaliwal said.
Following the meeting, Douglas expressed anger at the board’s decision not to suspend Little.
“I’m pissed at the board’s actions. Silence is not acceptable when you have a sworn duty to do what’s right. I’m extremely disappointed and disgusted by the level of nonchalance and ignorance of those who serve in the capacity and fiduciary responsibility to protect the interests of the people of the South Side Economic District,” she said.
For his part, Little said he has cooperated in the investigation. He did not deny the claims:
“I have not interfered with the investigations,” he said. “But the SEDD’s actions should not be held hostage each time someone makes a complaint against its president.”
The allegations are now under review by both the Monroe Police Department and the city attorney’s office, while Little remains the head of the board that is deadlocked under his leadership.
