The chief inspector general says allegations that Rudy Bradley acted inappropriately couldn't be corroborated.
By LOUIS HAU
Published November 8, 2003
The state's chief inspector general Friday cleared Florida Public Service Commissioner Rudy Bradley of sexual harassment allegations made by a former aide.
In a complaint with the PSC filed in July, then-Bradley aide Breda Platt alleged that Bradley had repeatedly asked about her sex life, stared at her chest and made other unwanted and inappropriate overtures.
But a summary report of chief inspector general Derry Harper's findings said Platt's allegations were "unsubstantiated" and "not corroborated by the testimony of witnesses and a thorough review of all relevant documents."
Although witnesses named by Platt confirmed that she had told them of alleged instances of inappropriate behavior by Bradley, the report noted that none of those witnesses had seen such behavior themselves.
Platt, who was 26 when she filed her complaint, and Kimberly Griffin, another former Bradley aide, testified "about sporadic and heated verbal exchanges between each of them and Bradley, which could have indicated a hostile working relationship," the report said. Both former aides said Bradley, 57, frequently phoned them after work "to the extent that it was invasive," the report said, adding that only Platt reported that the calls were personal in nature.
Bradley, a former St. Petersburg legislator who has denied all of Platt's allegations, and Platt, who is on paid leave from the PSC, could not be reached for comment. Platt's attorney, Tom Brooks of Tallahassee, said he will review the inspector general's report and declined to comment.
Gov. Jeb Bush, who nominated Bradley in late 2001 for a four-year term on the PSC, said in a brief statement that the report "closes this case" and that it "clears Rudy Bradley of wrongdoing."
The inspector general's report, which was also signed by Department of Juvenile Justice inspector general Lynne Winston and Department of Education inspector general John Franco, noted that the PSC has "no internal mechanism" through which to deal with aides and administrative assistants who have "concerns or allegations about the Commissioner he/she reports to."
It recommended that the PSC review its policies and consider ways of resolving workplace disputes internally.
- Times staff writer Lucy Morgan contributed to this story.
