Rick Chiarelli complainant sues city for $325K

One of the women who filed a formal complaint aboutCoun. Rick Chiarelli's behaviouris now suing the City of Ottawa for $325,000.

Stephanie Dobbshas identified herself as "Complainant No. 2" in Integrity Commissioner Robert Marleau'ssecondreport on the College ward councillor'sconduct, which the commissionerdescribed as "incomprehensible incidents of harassment."

A statement of claim filed Jan. 11, 2021 on her behalfcharged that the city is "directly and vicariously liable for the damages she has suffered."

Dobbs was hired by the College ward councillor but was formally a non-unionized employee of the city, working for him for about three years before going on medical leave in August 2018.

The statement lists a number of ways Dobbssaidshe was harassed by Chiarelli, which have been previously reported by CBC, including:

• "Making "sexual and/orderogatory comments about the bodies of her and other female office staff."
• Expecting that "female staff were to have men fawn over them to elicit volunteers."
• Threatening to fire staffers and "make your life miserable, and make you unemployable."

According to the statement and the integritycommissioner's report,her job intervew with Chiarelli"involved inappropriate sexual innuendo" where heshowedDobbs "pictures of her he had captured from social media on his phone and [commented] on her body" and said"it looked like she was braless."

WATCH | Dobbs speaks to CBC in November 2020:

I felt dehumanized: Former employee says working for Coun. Rick Chiarelli led to intense stress

4 years ago

Duration 1:11

Stephanie Dobbs, one of the formal complainants in the integrity commissioners report, says she was subjected to inappropriate sexual comments from Coun. Rick Chiarelli while working in his office.

Chiarelli also pressed her toreveal her biggest secret, the claim said, saying it wouldgain his trust.

"She complied by divulging about abuse she had suffered in the past, information which she had previously not disclosed even to her family," according to the statement.

According to the court filings, Dobbs "became seriously ill, and even suicidal during the months of October and November 2017."

Chiarelli has denied all accusations against him and has gone to court to argue the integrity commissioner didn't have authority for this investigation.

Claim cites lack of protection

According to the claim filed byDobbs'lawyer Todd Barney, the city failed in eight ways to provide an appropriate workplace environment for political staffers by, among other things, not ensuring a workplace "free of sexual discrimination, harassment and abuse, and the abuse of authority."

The city also failed to "educate, train, supervise, appropriately monitor and discipline" councillorson issues of harassment and abuse of power, Dobbs' lawyer alleges.

The lawsuit, first reported by the Ottawa Citizen, requestscompensation from the city for a loss of salary during the last term of council and beyond, a loss of earning capacity,costs for medicalexpenses and punitive damages.

"Shecontinues to requirepsychological care, counselling and other assistance," according to the statement.

None of the claims against the city have been tested in court, nor has the city filed a statement of defence.

HR concerns

Dobbs' suit also blames the city for not having standard recruitment policies which "created and fostered the potential for an uncivil, disrespectful, toxic and poisoned work environment."

• Hiring guidelines proposed in wake of Chiarelli allegations
• Pressure increases to change laws to oust badly behaving councillors

Many former staffers and job applicants told CBC that Chiarelli interviewed them outside normal working hours and in coffee shops and bars.

This behaviour "constituted a breach of a fundamental and implied term of the employment contract as aforesaid, and a repudiation of the entire employment relationship," the statement charges.

Last summer, council changed hiring policies in councilloroffices to ensurea member of human resources or the clerk's office be present during interviews, which now must be held at a city facility.

Need help? Here are some mental health resources:

• Ottawa Mental Health Crisis Line: 613-722-6914,1-866-996-0991 if outside Ottawa
• Distress Centre of Ottawa and Region: 613-238-3311
• Association qubcoise de prvention du suicide: 1-866-APPELLE (1-866-277-3553)
• Kids Help Phone:1-800-668-6868
• Youth Services Bureau Crisis Line:613-260-2360