At least four Denver Parks and Recreation Department employees were suspended without pay after city officials learned they were allegedly working another job while on city time, records show.
But the employees, who work at a city golf course, said that their supervisor approved their schedules and that they left early or came in late because they have irregular winter hours.
The four golf-division employees – Joseph Pinson, Lynne DiMartino, Ronald Jeffrey Hansen, and Todd Marley – are accused of de-icing planes at Denver International Airport for a private contractor when they were supposed to be working for taxpayers at City Park Golf Course.
One other unnamed employee also has been suspended, and a top-ranking supervisor is under investigation.
“This is obviously a matter of great concern to us, and we absolutely insist that people on city time are working on city matters, and if they are not, they will be punished,” said Cole Finegan, city attorney and acting chief of staff. Parks and Recreation Department officials declined to comment.
The suspensions of the four range from two days to three weeks without pay. Each has filed an appeal with Career Services Authority over the past two weeks.
The four salaried employees are expected to work about 40 hours a week. But in the summer, they say, they work much- longer hours because the course is open from sunrise to sundown. Their hours, all four said Monday, are flexible.
“Our jobs are not 9 to 5. In the summer we can be here as early as 4:15. In the winter it’s dark outside by 4:30 in the afternoon,” said Marley, a golf professional managing the pro shop and overseeing staff, who was suspended without pay for three weeks. “We’ve never tried to hide anything. My boss knew about it.”
Marley is accused of working at the de-icing company – Aircraft Services International Group – on city time 26 times between Nov. 12, 2003, and March 4, 2005. Hansen, a senior accountant and a 31-year city employee, was suspended for one week after the parks department alleged he worked for the company six times in the past two years while he was supposed to be working for the city.
Assistant golf professional DiMartino was suspended for two days after officials alleged she had nine incidents of de-icing planes on city time.
Pinson, the head golf professional, was suspended for three weeks after officials said he was working on the city’s tab 30 times between Oct. 14, 2003, and May 17, 2005.
Career Services Authority rules require salaried employees to work at least 40-hour workweeks. Deviations from a typical workweek must be consistent and approved by the agency. For instance, some employees can work four days a week, 10 hours a day, but they must do so every week.
While all four parks and recreation employees said their supervisor approved their more-flexible schedules, they did not get approval from the department or career services.
They also have been rebuked for failing to fully comply with policy requiring written authorization for outside employment. As a result, the city has prohibited them from working for aircraft services.
Pinson and Hansen both said the allegations against them are without merit.
“My supervisor sat 15 feet away in another cubicle,” Hansen said. “I tried to comply with the rules. I had permission from my supervisor. I may have made some mistakes, but are they egregious? No.”
Added Pinson: “For them to say I was grossly negligent and dishonest – that upsets me the most. I never tried to hide anything and I never let that job interfere with my (city) job.”
Tom Woodard, who is director of the golf program, could not be reached Monday.
Staff writer Karen Crummy can be reached at 303-820-1594 or kcrummy@denverpost.com.
