State agency head faces complaints about inappropriate comments [View all]

State agency head faces complaints about inappropriate comments

Greg Bluestein
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Updated: 4:15 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21, 2014

The head of Georgia’s Office of Highway Safety was required to complete workplace behavior training after he made inappropriate comments about sexual activities to his employees.

The complaints against Harris Blackwood included an incident when he discussed with an intern a sexual advance made to him by the wife of a colleague, and another when he made a startling comment at a staff meeting referring to a sexual act. He confirmed that several incidents cited in the complaints occurred, and he apologized for his conduct.

The exchanges, along with several other accusations outlined in a report obtained by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, took place between Feb. 7 and Feb. 10.

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Blackwood, who has led the agency since Gov. Nathan Deal appointed him to the job in 2011, was a longtime Gainesville Times reporter when he left the publication to work for Deal’s 2010 campaign for governor. ​He said he completed the workplace training in the spring, notching a 90 on the final exam. He was not issued a formal reprimand.

More at:
http://www.ajc.com/news/news/state-regional-govt-politics/state-agency-head-faces-complaints-about-inappropr/njCpb/