Denver city officials authorized a key manager in the Denver Parks and Recreation Department to run a psychic business during her time away from work, but she has since suspended the off-duty work to concentrate fully on her city duties.
Ann King, who supervises staff in areas of employment payroll, training and employee relations, also approved the firing of three parks employees and the suspension of a fourth, which a hearing officer last week described as flawed.
Career Service hearing officer Bruce Plotkin on Friday ordered the city to rehire the fired workers and overturned the suspension.
The four had been disciplined last year for “significant errors” in the timely and accurate issuance of payroll.
Plotkin found that the city administrators failed to properly train the workers and also gave them too many duties.
King, who pushed for the firings, declined to comment Wednesday.
Jill McGranahan, a spokeswoman for the city’s Parks and Recreation Department, confirmed Wednesday that King had sought approval to run a psychic business during her off hours.
McGranahan said King voluntarily halted the psychic business to concentrate on her city duties.
McGranahan said the city continues to believe the hearing officer improperly ruled in favor of the four disciplined workers.
Christopher N. Osher: 303-954-1747 or cosher@denverpost.com
