Content warning: This story contains information about sexual harassment and domestic violence.
Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway recommended on Wednesday that District 18 Ald. Charles Myadze be removed and replaced on Common Council committees, according to the City of Madison Legislative Information Center.
A sexual harassment investigation found insufficient evidence to prove Myadze broke state law despite at least three women alleging he sexually harassed them, including District 2 Ald. Julianna Bennett. District 8 Ald. MGR Govindarajan introduced a resolution Nov. 20 to censure Myadze with the support of Rhodes-Conway and 14 members of the Common Council.
“A majority of council members have sponsored a resolution to censure Myadze for his actions which are unbecoming of an alder,” Govindarajan told The Daily Cardinal Wednesday. “Sexual harassment and workplace initimidation is wrong and cannot be tolerated.”
Myadze currently resides on five committees, including the Alcohol License Review Committee, Board of Park Commissioners, Greater Madison Metropolitan Planning Organization, Sister City Collaboration Committee and Water Utility Board.
“Everyone deserves to work in an environment free from harassment and abuse,” Govindarajan said. “Removing Ald. Myadze from his committee assignments is necessary to maintain trust in our city’s leadership and hold electeds accountable for their actions.”
The replacement will be voted on Dec. 10 and has to be approved by a Common Council majority of 11 votes.
Student support and community resources are available via University Health Services’ crisis line at (608) 265-5600, option 9.
Marin Rosen is the city news editor for The Daily Cardinal and a second-year journalism student. Throughout her time at the Cardinal, she's written articles for city and state news. She is an intern at Channel 3000 News and runs the Badger Beat on Instagram and TikTok. Follow her on Twitter at @marin_rosen
