MIDTOWN — Civilian Complaint Review Board leaders defended their new head Thursday after he was investigated for inappropriate workplace behavior in 2013, including calling an area where Hispanic workers sat as “el Barrio,” according to reports and the agency.
CCRB Executive Director Jonathan Darche, 44, who was picked to lead the agency on May 15, was a deputy supervisor at the agency when he was accused of making the remark in reference to the East Harlem neighborhood, possibly groping a male employee’s buttocks and suggesting he would give his children “black names” to help them get into college, the AP first reported Thursday.
Agency leaders said they knew about the report before he was promoted.
"Throughout Mr. Darche's time at the CCRB, he has demonstrated a commitment to the mission of the agency. I have witnessed first-hand his efforts to create a safe and inclusive workplace,” CCRB Board Chair Maya Wiley said in a statement.
“As the Board Chair leading the hiring, I took into consideration all aspects of Mr. Darche's record, including the findings of the 2013 EEO complaint. Quite simply, Mr. Darche demonstrated in all of his roles at the Agency that he is a proven, caring, and fair leader. Mr. Darche took responsibility, was held accountable, and has demonstrated his commitment to our policies and staff."
Several of the accounts were substantiated and he was docked four vacation days and given management training, the AP reported.
The investigation was started by a senior official in the office after hearing about incidents, according to the AP report.
Darche formerly worked for Sen. Chuck Schumer and got his law degree form CUNY in 2005.
He was appointed to lead the agency after former director Mina Malik stepped down to teach at Harvard.
Board chair Richard Emery also resigned in 2016 after making controversial remarks, including complaining about police unions “squealing like a stuck pig.”
Board member Angela Fernandez said in a statement that the new director's actions did not "represent the culture and climate that Mr. Darche is cultivating at the agency today.”
