The Tampa City Council recently made a decision that has left many city employees questioning its judgment. On June 4, 2026, the council voted to award a commendation to retiring Mobility Administrator Jean Duncan, despite ongoing allegations of discrimination and retaliation within her department. This move comes just months after the city settled a discrimination lawsuit filed by former employee Scarlett Lopez for $350,000.
The controversy stems from Lopez’s allegations that Duncan subjected her to pregnancy and disability-related discrimination and retaliation. According to the lawsuit, Duncan gave Lopez poor performance ratings and demoted her after she took leave due to a medically complicated pregnancy. Meanwhile, Duncan’s daughter-in-law, who also worked in the mobility department and took leave for her pregnancy, was reportedly granted leave and not penalized.
City Council’s Divided Vote
At the June 4 city council meeting, Chief of Staff John Bennett announced Duncan’s retirement and requested that the council recognize her for her years of service. Councilmember Charlie Miranda motioned to give Duncan a commendation, which was ultimately approved in a 6-1 vote, with Councilmember Bill Carlson casting the sole dissenting vote.
Carlson’s opposition was rooted in the recent settlement with Lopez. ‘Have you guys read the Scarlett Lopez case?’ he asked before leaving the dais as Duncan approached. The commendation, framed on a marbled plaque, praised Duncan’s contributions to the city’s infrastructure and her mentorship of colleagues.
Employee Backlash and Morale Concerns
The decision to honor Duncan has not been well-received by some of her former subordinates. Alana Brasier, a former Duncan subordinate, told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay that the work environment under Duncan was hostile and discriminatory. Brasier, who left the city in 2026, claimed that Duncan prioritized her image over doing the right thing.
‘It really wears on morale when staff continuously see things like that happen,’ Brasier said. ‘It shows that their efforts are not seen, not appreciated, and they’re disposable.’ Brasier also expressed concern that the commendation sends a message that such behavior is acceptable, potentially impacting the city’s future workforce.
The Financial Impact of the Lawsuit
The city’s legal fees in the Lopez case amounted to over $650,000 with $350,000 going to the settlement and more than $300,000 paid to the law firm Johnson Jackson PLLC for legal services. Johnson Jackson specializes in representing employers in legal battles against employees, handling a range of issues from discrimination to complex wage-and-hour matters.
Despite the settlement, the city has not faced any legal findings of retaliation to date, as noted in a slideshow presented by John Bennett during the June 4 meeting. However, the commendation of Duncan has raised questions about the city’s commitment to supporting employees with legitimate complaints.
The settlement agreement with Lopez includes a confidentiality clause, preventing her from discussing the case. Despite this, the controversy surrounding Duncan’s commendation has brought the issue back into the public eye, highlighting the ongoing challenges within the city’s workforce.
