BOYNTON BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — Two comprehensive investigations into alleged misconduct within the City of Boynton Beach’s leadership have concluded with no policy violations found against senior staff, according to final reports issued by the Palm Beach County Office of Inspector General.
The investigations, initiated by referrals from the City’s Office of Internal Investigations and Accountability, Mayor Ty Penserga, multiple members of the City Commission, and former Human Resources Director Tennille Decoste, examined complaints involving key city officials.
Report One: Allegations Against Decoste
The first report reviewed three allegations against Decoste, who had also run for public office in Delray Beach. Investigators found that one allegation was partially supported: on a single occasion, Decoste solicited a campaign donation from a co-worker during work hours. Additionally, she took personal leave for one campaign-related event inappropriately. Other claims were not substantiated.
Report Two: Allegations Against Dugger, Mack, Lamb, and Whitefield
The second report focused on eight allegations involving City Manager Dan Dugger, Deputy City Manager Andrew Mack, City Attorney Shawna Lamb, and Internal Accountability Director Danielle Whitefield. These included claims of retaliation, racial bias in hiring, unauthorized severance payments, nepotism, inappropriate timekeeping, and alcohol use during working hours. After reviewing personnel records, internal communications, and conducting dozens of interviews, the Inspector General determined that none of the allegations met the evidentiary threshold for a policy or law violation.
In both reports, the Inspector General’s office clarified that some evidence suggested cause for concern, but did not rise to the level of “sufficient evidence to justify a reasonable conclusion” under governing policy…