Confidential email accuses Montgomery planning chair of inappropriate language, behavior
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. (7News) — 7News has obtained a confidential email that accuses Montgomery County Planning Board Chair Casey Anderson of engaging in inappropriate language and behavior in the workplace.
The email was sent at 10:54 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 23, with the subject "Confidential Sensitive Do not Distribute - For Official Purposes only." The email was addressed to Marlene Michaelson and Carol Rubin. Michaelson is the Montgomery County Council Executive Director. Rubin is one of four Montgomery County Planning Board commissioners.
The email stated that Montgomery Planning staff members had reported a "toxic misogynistic and hostile workplace," at least in part, because of Anderson. The email detailed three separate, undated "incidents."
RELATED | Montgomery Co. official had full bar in office, drank with employees, OIG report says
The first incident reportedly occurred during a "heated discussion" about zoning within Montgomery County's Biotech corridor. According to that email, Anderson raised his voice in his conference room during that conversation because an unnamed man and an unnamed woman were at odds.
"The problem here is that [redacted] thinks she has a big d*** and [redacted] thinks he has a big d***. So what [redacted] needs to do is take out her big d*** and put it out on the table and measure it and [redacted] needs to take out his big d*** and put it out on the table and measure it - so this contest is over because I'm f****** sick and tired of it," Anderson is alleged to have stated.
The confidential email went on to note that someone in the room was "visibly flushed, nervous and [their] voice quivered in response to the public beratement."
READ MORE | Montgomery Planning Board Chair leads public meeting amid investigation of his office bar
The second incident is said to have occurred during a conversation about whether the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission should hire a compliance officer.
"I am not crazy about hiring this position, but I am not going to shoot my wad all over this," Anderson allegedly said to a female employee in his presence.
The confidential email provided to 7News had the writer's name redacted, but sources within the Montgomery County government confirm the writer to be Planning Board Commissioner Partap Verma. 7News contacted Verma by email Thursday seeking comment.
"This is an active investigation, and I cannot comment at this time," Verma responded by email.
The Montgomery County Planning Board had a regularly-scheduled public meeting Thursday morning. Around 30 minutes into that meeting, Anderson excused himself from the board meeting room, citing an unexpected health emergency.
"I have to go. I've had a family health emergency arise so I'll be out for a couple of hours," Anderson said. "I'll turn this over to the vice chair and I'll see you all shortly. I'm sorry I'm missing this item, but with that, I'll hand it off. Thanks."
Gwen Wright is the director of the Montgomery Planning Department and oversees a staff of nearly 150. She supports Anderson and said many of her employees do too.
SEE ALSO | Montgomery Planning Board Chairman Casey Anderson docked four weeks of pay for office bar
"There may be people who have concerns with Casey, but they are not my employees," Wright told 7News during a Zoom call Thursday. "I have not asked him directly, 'do you deny these quotes?' You know, I think that's something he'll have to address on his own.'"
Shortly after 4 p.m. Thursday, Anderson emailed 7News denying all of the claims made in the confidential email.
"These allegations are false, and I am confident that a full investigation will exonerate me," Anderson stated.
In September, 7News was the first to report that Anderson had been operating a stocked bar in his government office. The M-NCPPC has a strict no alcohol and no drug policy. On Tuesday, the Montgomery County Council — which appointed, and thus, oversees Anderson — disciplined Anderson by docking him four weeks of pay.
