CORTLAND, N.Y. – An independent investigation into an incident involving two Cortland County legislators has concluded that one of the legislators violated the county's workplace violence prevention policy.
The investigation was launched in response to an April 7 incident in which legislators Susan Briggs and Charles Sudbrink engaged in a verbal confrontation in Briggs' office.
The dispute related to a decision by Briggs to reserve six parking spots for legislators at the Cortland County Office Building.
Just weeks after the incident, the county legislature voted 12-4 to remove Briggs as chair, stating they had “no confidence in Ms. Briggs’ ability to act in the best interest of Cortland County.” Briggs still retains her seat as a legislator serving the Cortlandville district.
The results of the investigation, which were released Thursday, determined that Sudbrink did not violate the county's workplace violence prevention policy.
Briggs, however, met the definition of workplace violence for her use of offensive language while addressing Sudbrink in her office, the report found.
She also violated the county's policy for her "use of physical attempts" to attempt to prevent Sudbrink from leaving her office, according to the report.
Briggs said Thursday she is continuing to review all of her options, including legal ones.
