An independent investigator says the town manager of a popular Delaware beach resort should be formally reprimanded for unprofessional behavior and be required to take anti-harassment and anti-discrimination training.
Dewey Beach Town Manager Marc Appelbaum has been the subject of complaints alleging crude behavior and improper interference in the operations of town agencies. He's also the subject of a lawsuit filed by several town employees.
In a preliminary report released Thursday, an outside attorney hired by the town council said local businessman Alex Pires, who has sometimes battled with local officials over development issues, drafted a June complaint letter to town commissioners that was signed by several police officers, a town inspector and the beach patrol captain.
The letter alleged interference, abuse and harassment by Appelbaum and sought his removal.
