The man at the head of the Toronto Community Housing Corporation remains in charge following a second recent meeting over allegations concerning his conduct.
Board members met for the second time this week regarding the conduct of CEO Eugene Jones Thursday morning.
“The (TCHC board) has put a plan in place with president and CEO Gene Jones to strengthen his managerial practices and improve executive performance,” TCHC said in a press release issued following Thursday’s meeting.
“The decision follows a board-initiated investigation by external counsel into allegations of improper conduct on the part of Mr. Jones,” the release adds. “The board received the report and reviewed the findings that the CEO in these matters failed to exercise proper management oversight and follow board processes and procedures.”
The meetings were held following two anonymous allegations made against Jones.
According to a report in the Toronto Star earlier this week, the first allegation claimed that Jones fired newly hired Chief Operating Officer Kathleen Llewellyn-Thomas and gave her a severance payment while claiming that she had resigned.
The second allegation involved a claim that Jones’ office worked to keep his executive assistant off the Sunshine List for public servants despite the fact that she made in excess of $100,000.
Thursday’s press release did not discuss specifics of the allegations.
On Tuesday night, TCHC Chair Bud Purves confirmed that the board was discussing two specific allegations, but would not specify what they were.
According to Thursday’s release, Jones will not be eligible for a bonus for 2013. Additionally, he will be required to attend a university executive leadership program, work with an executive coach “to provide a focus for performance improvement,” and participate in a six-month performance review.
“We hired Gene to be a change agent who would turn around (TCHC)’s performance and restore its credibility with residents and the public,” Purves said in Thursday’s release.
“Gene’s vision and passion for improving the quality of our housing and being more responsive to the needs of our residents has made a real difference,” Purves added. “However, the board agreed that there were areas for improvement in management style and performance, and we look forward to working together with Gene on the plan.”
Ford reiterates support for Jones
Speaking with the media at city hall Thursday afternoon, Toronto Mayor Rob Ford for the second time this week threw his support behind the TCHC CEO.
“I support Gene Jones - I don’t think any of us are perfect, and he has done a phenomenal job at Toronto Community Housing,” Ford said. “Like in sport, or anything else, if you take a penalty, you spend two minutes in the penalty box. That doesn’t mean you’re kicked off the team, that doesn’t mean you’re not the captain of the team.”
Ford said he didn’t agree with the board’s decision to spend money to send Jones to school.
“You lose your bonus – that’s a pretty severe penalty,” he said. “We need that money to fix up our housing stock.”
Jones joined the Toronto Community Housing Corporation in 2012 after a stint at the Detroit Housing Commission.
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