Police investigation concludes charges at The Shelter are ‘unfounded’
Glenn Beil/Tallahassee Democrat
Tallahassee police have concluded an investigation of sexual harassment at The Shelter and determined criminal charges are unfounded.
The investigation was ordered by the Tallahassee city manager last month after Renee Miller, director of City Walk Urban Mission, wrote a Feb. 13 blog on her experience going undercover as a homeless woman. She alleged an employee propositioned her and included other allegations ranging from staffers exchanging sexual acts for shelter services like laundry, bed bugs and harsh treatment by staffers.
Tallahassee Police Department officers interviewed 22 people in its investigation of extortion or threats being made by staff at The Shelter.
This morning, TPD said it had completed its investigation, consulted with the State Attorney’s Office and concluded there were no criminal charges to pursue. The investigation has been closed.
The Shelter board members fired two employees and placed Executive Director Mel Eby on paid administrative leave while the investigation was going on.
Check back at Tallahassee.com for more details from the investigation.
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TPD has completed the criminal investigation surrounding the allegations at the Shelter. After interviewing the parties involved and consulting with the State Attorney’s Office, TPD investigators have concluded there are no criminal charges and have closed the case “unfounded.”
No criminal charges filed in Tallahassee shelter case
Related Documents
The Shelter — Tallahassee Police Report A police report detailing their investigation into Tallahassee’s The Shelter.
Posted: Tuesday, March 19, 2013 9:30 am | Updated: 10:42 am, Tue Mar 19, 2013.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The Tallahassee Police Department has completed their investigation of employees working at “The Shelter.” Investigators say that none of the employees will face criminal charges, and that they’ve closed and labelled the case “unfounded.”
The investigation opened on February 15, 2013, when TPD investigators learned of a blog written by Renee Miller. Miller is the director of City Walk Ministries, a ministry aimed at helping the homeless. In the blog, she said that she’d been pushed down, berated, and propositioned for sex by shelter employees. She also complained of a bedbug infestation.
Miller’s blog opened up several investigations into whether or not employees were sexually harassing clients, cashing their Social Security and/or governmental assistance checks, mismanaging funds, and improperly dispensing medication.
After speaking with several witnesses and suspects, investigators say that they were unable to uncover a criminal offense at The Shelter.
Although they did uncover a bedbug infestation, Shelter director Mel Eby says that it’s a known issue they are trying to fix. Local and State health officials say that they have no mandatory regulations regarding the bedbug situation.
March 19, 2013
Cop Reviews, Crimes, Government Officials, Law Enforcement