The City of Tampa is in the midst of a discrimination and retaliation complaint from former Assistant Police Chief Ruth Cate, who was fired last March after nearly three decades of service. How Cate’s ordeal ends is unknown, but about a month prior, the city paid $350,000 to settle a lawsuit by another former employee who alleged discrimination, retaliation and nepotism by one of the highest-paid employees in city hall.
Scarlett Lopez was a top-rated employee at the City of Tampa until 2021, when a doctor directed her to take medical leave and work from home due to a painful back problem and later pregnancy complications. At the time, she was an assistant to Jean Duncan, administrator of the troubled mobility department.
According to the City of Tampa FY2025 Schedule of Positions and Salaries, Duncan’s salary was $256,246.99—the highest in the city…