Because of upcoming elections for Durham City Council, my open letter to the Durham City Council is again relevant. The same forces that framed Dr. Monique Holsey-Hyman are now primarying councilmember DeDreana Freeman. Holsey-Hyman and Freeman have both been independent voices on the council willing to listen to the public and say “no” to destructive development, especially annexations and rezoning beyond the city limits. That is why Holsey-Hyman was subjected to slanderous allegations and driven from office. That is why Freeman, who stood up to the council members who mercilessly bullied Holsey-Hyman, is now targeted. I’ve already heard a false narrative of the events described below being bandied by supporters of Freeman’s primary challenger. The truth matters; spread the truth. Please read:
To: CityCouncilOnly@durhamnc.gov>
On September 19, 2023, the results of a careful, professional, SBI investigation into allegations against Councilwoman Monique Holsey-Hyman were announced by District Attorney, Satana Deberry. Dr. Holsey-Hyman was completely exonerated of both the false corruption claim made by disgruntled developer, Jarrod Edens, and the campaign violation of asking a city staffer to work on her campaign during city work hours. Holsey-Hyman is innocent.
Having spent my forty-five year career in the criminal justice system, I know that such a full, unreserved, exoneration from law enforcement is rare. It is clear the district attorney believes both charges were unwarranted.
While exoneration is welcome, nothing can undo an innocent person’s trauma at being wrongly accused and publicly excoriated. I marvel at Dr. Holsey-Hyman’s strength as she lived within the toxic cloud of accusations, suspicions, and investigation for six months. Even as the false allegations ravaged her reputation and derailed her academic career advancement, she continued to serve the people of Durham and fulfill her academic duties. She embodies grace under fire.
I doubt Jarrod Edens will ever apologize for his despicable behavior. He believes the end of removing an obstacle to his profiteering justified any means. Sincerely apologizing for our sins is the lowest level of honor. Trying to remedy the damage we’ve done is honor’s next step up. Edens is clearly not an honorable man.
But Edens is not the only one who falsely accused Holsey-Hyman and he is not the only one who failed to apologize. Four of her fellow council members did the same.
As Edens’ devious plot to ruin Holsey-Hyman was publicly unfolding, as her professional and personal lives were upended, when she most needed collegial support, four of her council colleagues launched their own attack. Just days after Edens set his plan in motion, Jillian Johnson, Leonardo Williams, Javiera Caballero, and Mark Anthony Middleton, (“the four”) colluded to bring a censure motion against her on another trumped up charge, the campaign rules violation for which the SBI determined there was no evidence.
While less sensational, the four’s accusations and public humiliation of Holsey-Hyman may have been more hurtful to her than Edens’ fabrication. Betrayal by those counted as friends is always worse than the blows of strangers.
Unlike Edens whispering to the planning director and lurking in the shadows until Mayor O’Neil finally outed him, the four’s attack was mostly open and recorded. I encourage everyone who cares about Durham’s governing body to view the March 23, 2023, council work session video. Be ready to cringe. Fifty-three minutes in, as the meeting was drawing to an end, Jillian Johnson commenced the assault of the four. With the approval of Williams, Caballero, and Middleton, she presented a document entitled, “Resolution of Censure of Council Member Monique Holsey-Hyman.” In the resolution, Johnson stated as fact that Holsey-Hyman asked a city staffer to do campaign work during city work hours. Johnson had earlier in the day tweeted out Holsey-Hyman’s identity as the council member accused by Edens (who was then allowed anonymity). It’s my understanding she sent her censure resolution to the media. It is apparent Johnson was intent on damaging Holsey-Hyman in the public eye.
Neither Johnson nor any of the four had asked Holsey-Hyman about Edens’ claim or their own asserted campaign violation claim.
The only evidence regarding the campaign violation was that it did not happen, just as the SBI investigation concluded. The staff member made a written statement that he acted without the request or knowledge of Holsey-Hyman. The staffer took full responsibility for sending out a campaign event invitation during city work hours. When she got the opportunity to speak at the work session, Holsey-Hyman confirmed she had not asked the staff member to do campaign work on city time and she didn’t know of his actions.
The March 23rd work session video documents four elected officials acting as a mean clique beating up on an innocent but wounded colleague.
Johnson couldn’t wait to draw attention to the resolution. She was taking pride in authorship. She seemed to be playing to the media audience she summoned. Again, everything Johnson did targeted an innocent colleague. Johnson has nothing to be proud of in pushing censure of Holsey-Hyman. Instead, Ms Johnson, you should feel shame and remorse.
Middleton made disingenuous comments to the effect that censure wasn’t a big deal, just a “slap on the hand,” when he knew it would be politically devastating to Holsey-Hyman. While admitting it had not been determined whether Holsey-Hyman committed the campaign violation, Middleton said if they didn’t censure Holsey-Hyman the council would “send a chilling message” to city employees. Mr. Middleton, what message did city employees get from your hounding of an innocent woman?
It is notable that Middleton is very sensitive to himself being wrongly accused and demanding “due process” but didn’t hesitate to assume Holsey-Hyman guilty. See video of March 9th , one hour 54 minutes in, when Middleton goes into a lengthy tirade in apparent response to past citizen comments suggesting he or other pro-development members were “on the take.” He said anyone who made such comments better be prepared to prove them. Mr. Middleton, when did you bring equal vigor to the defense of Holsey-Hyman when she was accused by Edens of “being on the take?” Now I remember, never.
Leonardo Williams expressed confusion about what was happening at the work session meeting. He said he didn’t know whether they were there to determine what happened or a process or to vote on something “pre-determined.” Although, he didn’t know whether the campaign violation happened, he supported the censure resolution. Mr. Williams, when you don’t know what you are doing, please do nothing. You don’t need to go along with the mean clique. Think for yourself, please.
Caballero ranted about the evils of corruption in city government. “We have to behave at a different level in these seats.” “We moved with speed because Durham residents deserve this.” Ms Caballero, you four were very transparent. The viewing public can see right through you. You rush to judgment and seek to impose punishment before you know the facts. Your defense of the “process” was laughable. Members furiously calling, texting, or emailing each other to spread gossip and organize an attack on their out of town colleague is the stuff of middle school mean girls, hardly appropriate for our civic leaders. Durham residents deserve leaders who actually operate on a much higher level than you and your clique displayed on March 23rd.
Council members Williams, Caballero, Johnson and Middleton, you all were wrong in pursuing censure against Monique Holsey-Hyman. Listening to the March 23rd work session, it is obvious that some or all of you don’t know what censure is. It is:
An action by a legislative body to officially reprimand an elected official for inappropriate or illegal actions committed by that official while in office. The act of censuring is an official condemnation for inappropriate or illegal actions committed by a public official while holding a position of trust.
Censure is a punishment.
Most Americans understand that under our system of justice, whether criminal or civil, sanctions should not be considered unless guilt is first established. You did nothing to determine the facts. You ignored the only evidence, which was the staffer’s statement that he acted alone. Only after you published the resolution and raised it at the March 23rd work session did you even allow Holsey-Hyman to respond. She confirmed the staffer’s report that he acted without her direction or knowledge. You had nothing but you still proceeded to self-righteously berate Holsey-Hyman for forty minutes. Your behavior was the antithesis of what our elected officials should model.
And, importantly, Council member Dedreana Freeman was right to call you out as bullies after that meeting. No one viewing the March 23rd video can disagree.
Like Jarrod Edens, you falsely accused an innocent person and ruined her life for, at least, six months. The full extent of the damage to her may not be known until after this election.
Council members Williams, Caballero, Johnson and Middleton, why haven’t you publicly apologized to Council member Holsey-Hyman? Why haven’t you done everything you possibly can to remedy the damage you’ve done? It’s a matter of honor and, so far, none of you have shown any.
Sincerely,
Katie Ross.
Save Durham 