Why Powerful Public Officials Should Be Careful About Protecting Friends

On December 6, 2023, attorney Tyisha Toms, just prior to her appointment as Bridgeport’s chief legal counsel, wrote this in the OIB comments section, regarding City Councilwoman Maria Pereira threatening to file lawsuits against several individuals and media outlets:

Actually, when the plaintiff is a public figure, they have the burden of proving that the defendant acted with actual malice or reckless disregard for the truth. Arguably the defendant can just say “I didn’t know it was untrue.” Then the burden shifts back to the plaintiff.

Strange what can happen in the fit of emotion, or a new legal spin.

The other day at 3:33 p.m. just minutes after this story was published about her friend Janene Hawkins dubiously double dipping city positions, I received a lively, to say the least, threatening phone call from City Attorney Tyisha Toms with whom I have always had a cordial relationship, accusing me of defaming her friend. I’ve also had a cordial association with Hawkins and have written favorably about both of them.

Attorney Toms pushed loudly.

I pushed back, in paraphrase, I explained this was a story about taxpayer money and all the payroll records show Hawkins, as chief administrative officer for the city and a human resources adviser to the superintendent of schools, profited a windfall at taxpayers expense.

You’re the city attorney for Bridgeport, isn’t it your job to protect the taxpayers of Bridgeport rather than your friend?

“I’m not calling as the city attorney!” she shot back.

Would you be calling if you were not the city attorney? (3:33 p.m. on a weekday)

Toms cited some cockamamie policy that pays the full eight hours, even if you work just one hour per day. If true, I responded, what a horrible policy.

She intimated a few unflattering things, liar this, you’re a that, etc. I stood my ground. She hung up. I don’t recall ever having choice words previously.

City attorney is a powerful position, no matter the municipality, where legal cover can be crafted for executive and legislative bodies. And friends, for that matter,

The decisions Toms issues, be it to the mayor, City Council, boards and commissions, are the legal guideposts for how the city conducts business and procurement process. She has more than a dozen lawyers at her disposal on payroll as well as many others paid as legal consultants to the city.

The City Attorney’s Office is also the place where requests for public information can be green-lighted or stymied.

I’ve been bitched out by plenty of city officials in the past. Goes with the territory. This one seemed very different. Very knee jerk and personal. Was she blaming the messenger because this was a screwy double-dip arrangement?

Good grief, her friend made $228,000 in 2024.

Prior to that Toms wanted to know “why now?” re publishing the story.

Let’s visit the why-now timeline. In January 2024, Hawkins was Bridgeport’s chief administrative officer, top department head, second most powerful administrative position in city government after the mayor. That comes with plenty of influence and power, depending on how long of a leash the mayor wants to give.

Hawkins approached the mayor’s executive staff and relayed, according to several sources, that she wanted to spend some of her work time as a loaned executive to help the new school chief, now gone, Carmela Levy-David, to provide human resources support. Added pay was not part of the pitch. They agreed.

On January 11, 2024, Levy-David issued the following memorandum to education staff: “

Please arrange to begin compensating Dr. Hawkins as of Tuesday January 2nd for her role as CHRO in BPS.”

The thing about City Hall, rank and file employees notice things. I had received a number of calls during that period declaring Hawkins was invisible at 999 Broad Street, the Margaret Morton Government Center, spending her time on Lyon Terrace, home of school district administration. Double dip allegations were rampant. Word of this also came to the attention of City Council leadership that didn’t hold back about what was pitched as a loan to the school district.

Also, during this period Bridgeport’s 2023 mayoral race extended into 2024 due to ballot-box stuffing allegations in which a state judge ordered a new election. There was plenty to write about.

In February 2024 Hawkins was confronted by mayoral staff about the two pay checks she was receiving. She postured defensively, according to sources.

On February 14, 2024 Hawkins, under her personal letterhead, issued a formal CAO resignation to Mayor Joe Ganim effective two days later, thanking him for eight years of city service. Ganim was effusive in his public praise of her. Prior to serving as CAO, Hawkins headed labor relations.

Fast forward several months. Levy-David appoints Hawkins chief of staff, a position that pays the most, after the superintendent of schools.

Friction builds between Levy-David and the school board over a variety of issues, including a growing financial mess. Levy-David is shown the door. Royce Avery becomes acting school leader and sets upon eliminating administrative positions to help close the financial gap.

One of those positions is chief of staff to the superintendent.

In early December 2024, Hawkins was moved from Lyon Terrace to the Bassick Library, which she alleged is moldy, and mouse-infested.

Other school district staffers also work out of the library, not just Hawkins. She files a complaint with the state health department over a couple of mice and a few other things. What’s this really about?

Is this retaliatory from either side?

I received more phone calls asserting Hawkins is trying to build a claim for another pay day, at taxpayers expense.

Okay, considering the new information, let’s take a look at pay stubs.

During the months of January and February 2024, according to pay stub records, Hawkins received $3,653.85 per week from the school side spending and $2,931.71 from city side per week. She was paid for 80 hours of work.

Hawkins banked a total of $60,166.11 during the two-month double dip, including vacation time buyout, sick days and holidays.

In total she received $227,754 in 2024, the most other than Levy-David.

Now, let’s give Hawkins the benefit of the doubt that she believes in her head that she made it very clear to mayoral staff what the arrangement would be – double dipping city pay with a deal from the school chief that would largely keep her out of the Morton Government Center while the mayor is campaigning across the city for his political life.

Either way, none of it is a good look.

Also, no effort has been made to recoup those dollars.

Ganim, the past few weeks has locked arms with superintendent Avery, who has a difficult task ahead of him bringing stability to a cash-strapped school district, about the need for transparency.

Okay, Joe, how about some retro transparency as well? The school district is broke.

Now, let’s get back to City Attorney Toms friendship with Hawkins. Shortly after the threatening tone of Toms phone call, I heard from Hawkins in a text who wanted to chat. She was upset. After the call I received from Toms, I was not inclined to hear more of the same from her friend.

I explained in a text, “Hi, if you have something to say in response to my story, please issue a statement. Thank you.”

“I will have my attorney contact you,” she responded.

I heard from the City Attorney Toms. Waiting to hear from Hawkins attorney.

No malice here or reckless disregard for the truth. It’s a story about the spending of taxpayer money.

Note to Attorney Toms: thank you for the December 2023 legal advice.