13 ABC Action News
By WTVG Staff
Published: Nov. 1, 2022 at 1:14 PM GMT-7

TOLEDO, Ohio (WTVG) - Toledo City Council held a special council meeting on Tuesday to vote on the employment of the City Auditor and moved to suspend him for 30 days before reviewing his job performance and duties. The deliberations over the auditor’s employment also sparked a motion to remove the council president.

Toledo City Council announced Monday it would hold a special meeting Tuesday to vote on the auditor’s employment.

City Auditor Jake Jaksetic previously told council members that he has not been informed of any wrongdoing on his part. He said he tried to log onto his work laptop last week and IT told him it had been disabled. He also said a city attorney demanded his resignation and told him he would be fired at the next council meeting absent his resignation.

Emails and documents obtained by 13abc show Jaksetic believes the administration is retaliating against him. In a letter he sent to city council members, Jaksetic said he was targeted for shedding light on alleged awarded contracts based on personal connections as well as what he called $1 million expenditure of taxpayer money to advance the mayor and law director’s political aspirations in regard to the Summit Street reconstruction project. That same project sparked questioning from the FBI. The City of Toledo spokesperson released a statement calling Jaksetic’s comments “slanderous and false.”

The deliberations over Jaksetic’s employment brought Councilman Nick Komives to bring a motion to recall the council presidency role for President Matt Cherry. The motion failed with only three yes votes. Cherry released the following statement Wednesday morning.

“As any leader knows, it is difficult to make everyone happy 100% of the time. I am happy that the vast majority of my colleagues affirmed my role as President of Council yesterday. As I have done from day one in this role, I will continue to work with every member of Council to advance the city’s agenda and support our residents and businesses.” -- President Matt Cherry

Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz canceled all of his one-on-one meetings with council members in light of today’s meeting. He is not allowing members of his administration to have personal meetings with council members until there’s a resolution on the city auditor, with the city spokesperson saying the safety of city employees come first. They will still participate in public meetings.

“Toledo City Council voted today to suspend the City Auditor, Jake Jaksetic. Since he works at the pleasure of City Council, the administration has no authority or oversight regarding his employment.

That said, the administration is aware that Mr. Jaksetic sent a letter to City Council regarding this matter. The letter made slanderous and false statements about members of the administration. It is full of what has been the hallmark of Mr. Jaksetic’s time as auditor — wild conspiracy theories, never supported by facts.

Unfortunately, this is a pattern demonstrated by some disgruntled employees. In this context, his accusations aren’t surprising, but they are disappointing and concerning.

The employees of the City of Toledo have a right to feel safe in the workplace, free from threats and intimidation. And all taxpayers have a right to expect that a city auditor perform actual auditing duties, something we’ve seen very little of from Mr. Jaksetic.

At least during the length of Mr. Jaksetic’s suspension, all employees will once again be able to perform their work without threats or fear.

Earlier this year, City Council voted to officially join CEDAW (The Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women). In order for that action to have any real meaning, the city of Toledo must work to make sure the women in its workforce feel safe and supported. The Administration is sure City Council feels the same.

The administration also believes it is crucial to have a City Auditor who is dedicated to performing the actual, important duties of an auditor. The Administration is sure City Council shares this goal as well.” -- Gretchen DeBacker, City of Toledo spokesperson

This is a developing story. Check back later for more details.