TREASURE ISLAND, Fla. — The Treasure Island City Commission voted at its Sept. 9 meeting to end an investigation into City Manager Charlie Van Zant, concluding that he acted professionally and appropriately in his position.
The inquiry began after Vice Mayor Tammy Vasquez sent an email complaint to the city’s Human Resources Department, alleging that Van Zant engaged in “discriminatory and/or inappropriate conduct because of her sex.” Under the city charter, the City Commission must formally launch any investigation into the city manager, an action the board never took.
Following independent staff interviews, commissioners determined there was not enough evidence to support claims that Van Zant created a hostile work environment or engaged in sex-based discrimination. The commission instructed the city attorney and human resources director to inform the city’s insurance carrier that Treasure Island is withdrawing its request and wants the inquiry closed immediately…