Community Action Duluth to hire external third party consultant to investigate problems
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DULUTH, Min. – The Community Action Duluth Board of Directors has announced they have hired an “external third party consultant” to investigate the claims that are be made about their organization.
The unnamed third party will be ask to investigate “interpersonal conflicts between employees and the Executive Director”.
A news release from the Board of Directors said similar allegations were reviewed in 2022 and found no misconduct by the Executive Director.
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FULL RELEASE:
Community Action Duluth Board of Directors Conducts Workplace Inquiry
Duluth, MN — The Community Action Duluth Board of Directors has received allegations regarding interpersonal conflicts between employees and the Executive Director. To ensure transparency and uphold accountability, and after weeks of work to identify an external third party consultant, the Board has authorized a confidential and impartial inquiry.
Individuals involved will be contacted to provide additional information as needed, and they will receive updates. However, the Board will not share details publicly, as this remains an internal personnel matter. Media inquiries should note this limitation.
Community Action Duluth Board of Directors also acknowledges that the use of legal buzzwords in media reports does not amount to culpability. To protect privacy and prevent retaliation, the Board will maintain confidentiality of its internal inquiry to ensure unbiased results.
In 2022, the Minnesota Department of Human Services’ Office of Economic Opportunity reviewed similar allegations in their 2022 Community Action Duluth Monitoring Report and found no misconduct by the Executive Director. Community Action Duluth continues to work with the MN DHS OEO agency in a collaborative partnership.
The Community Action Duluth Board of Directors’ Executive Team prepared this document. This press release, alongside the press release released on November 20th, 2025, was prepared and approved by the Community Action Duluth Board of Directors.
Shawn Pearson, Chair
CAD Board of Directors
Salaam Witherspoon, Vice Chair
CAD Board of Directors
