'F-ck You, F-ck You, F-ck All of You': Outburst by Wife of Cleveland Heights Mayor Prompts Concern, Investigation

Accusations of a hostile work environment at Cleveland Heights City Hall have narrowed to Mayor Kahlil Seren and his “first lady” Natalie McDaniel Credit: Mark Oprea

There have been a lot of changes at the top of Cleveland Heights leadership in the first term of Mayor Kahlil Seren, including the short-lived tenure of City Adminstrator Dan Horrigan. who resigned months after his hire due to what he called dysfunction and an “untenable” work environment at City Hall due to Seren’s wife’s unofficial role in government.

Those changes have followed down the line with similar complaints.

A City Hall employee recently requested a change of job because of Natalie McDaniel’s role in creating a hostile work environment and was subsequently put on paid leave pending an investigation by external legal counsel into the incident, according to records reviewed by Scene.

Emails show that a build up of episodes and conflicts involving McDaniel, who Seren told Scene serves as Cleveland Heights’ “First Lady,” precipitated the request.

“The Mayor’s wife has consistently, over the last three months, come into the [Mayor’s] wing yelling and swearing,” the employee wrote to HR director Tanya Jones on March 13.

“She said the words ‘fuck you, fuck you, fuck all of you, the fuck I can’t be in that meeting, fuck you all,’” they continued. “She did not look at me when she was screaming this, but she walked up and down the hallway a few times, including past my office while doing this on repeat.”

“Today crossed a line for me,” the employee said in an email to HR. “I do not feel comfortable returning to City Hall until I am assured that the Mayor’s wife, who is NOT and [sic] employee and who is NOT an elected official is no longer present and exerting her influence in the space and directly in meetings.”

“I have been torn between compassion for someone that exhibits mental health episodes,” she concluded, “and what is broadly considered an unsafe work environment.”

The employee wrote Seren directly on March 19, worried that McDaniel’s yelling and “use of expletives” could lead to issues both inside and out of City Hall, they said. “As it has been affecting morale and your reputation.”

Eight days later, the employee was put on paid leave.

Seren directed them, via email, to “remain available” to work from home as an investigation into the complaint was carried out.

“Please understand that this decision is not punitive or intended to cause harm,” he wrote the staffer, “but is in the interest of ensuring that safety and security are maintained for you and for all others in the office environment.”

“It’s deeply concerning that the mayor would put an employee on administrative leave after she reported to HR that she felt unsafe in the workplace,” Cleveland Heights Councilman Jim Petras told Scene in a text message.

“It appears that this could have been a retaliatory act,” he added. “City Hall should be a workplace where employees feel valued and want to come to work, a workplace where employees are celebrated and inspired to go above and beyond.”

Cleveland Heights City Hall has been embroiled in somewhat of a controversy as it deals with accusations of a hostile work culture starting with and linked to McDaniel.

And, earlier this month, documents surfaced pertaining to the month-long investigation of Cain Park Manager Ian Hinz, who was placed on a five-day suspension this year after accusations from four staff members that Hinz’s outbursts led to workers repeatedly on pins and needles.

In a half-hour-long interview with Scene in late March, Seren denied that City Hall was being shaken by any tense atmosphere.

“I try create a space here where people feel safe working here—that is something that I am dedicated to,” Seren told Scene.

“I want people to be able to sit in a meeting and be allowed to express their opinions, provide new ideas without fear of ridicule, without naysayers shutting them down out of hand,” he added. “And an environment where people who don’t speak up in a meeting feel comfortable doing so. And that’s something that you have to work at.”

It’s unclear whether or not McDaniel is still a regular presence at City Hall, where she held duties, Seren previously said, “similar to [those] would expect from any person in any public office who has a partner in their life.”

Cleveland Heights City Hall, in a statement to Scene, declined to comment on specifics of the incident but said proper procedures are being followed:

“The City is not in the habit of reporting on matters related to current or former personnel for the protection and privacy of those involved. The matter referenced in your questions is still awaiting resolution. All parties have followed the administrative process according to proper procedure from the beginning. The nature of your questions suggests a misunderstanding of the sequence of events and the cooperation of all involved in reviewing the allegations. We would be willing to share the administrative process used in all cases for background if it assists your understanding. However, we will not respond to questions based on hearsay.”