Harrisburg Mayor Wanda Williams held a press conference in the MLK City Government Center on Friday.
Harrisburg Mayor Wanda Williams on Friday defended herself against recent allegations that have arisen from pending litigation and related press coverage.
At a press conference in city hall, Williams responded to a recent article published by Pennlive that shared information on a federal lawsuit against her, in which a former city employee accused Williams of unfair management practices.
In September 2022, former public works director Nathaniel Spriggs filed a lawsuit against Williams and the city, alleging that he was wrongly fired because he wouldn’t promote Williams’ son Dion Dockens. In his filings, Spriggs also stated that Williams had asked him to create positions for several of her other family members.
The civil rights lawsuit is pending in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.
On Friday, Williams said that the claims, which the Pennlive article referenced, were unfounded.
“I understand as mayor I am fair game for criticism and I accept that responsibility with the utmost respect. However, my family is not fair game,” Williams said. “I will not stand by silently as they are unfairly drawn into baseless accusations.”
Williams countered claims alleging that she had created positions for family members, saying there was no change to the city’s organizational chart to add jobs for them. She also noted that several of her family members, including her son and granddaughter, held positions with the city before she was elected mayor.
“I will not allow gossip and speculation to overshadow the real work being done,” Williams said. “The challenges we face as a city are just too important and the work ahead is too great for us to be distracted by disruptive rhetoric.”
At the press conference, members of the media questioned Williams on whether or not she was utilizing a city forum and city resources for the press conference for political reasons. Williams has previously said that she would run this year for a second term as mayor.
Earlier today, city Communications Director Mischelle Moyer sent an email media advisory stating that Williams would “address recent media reports related to nepotism and other unethical practices being unfairly touted for reaction and marring of her reputation during a mayoral race.” At the press conference, Moyer said that she misspoke in her email by mentioning the mayoral race.
Williams denied that her statements on Friday were politically motivated.
“This is concerning me personally, not for a campaign,” she said.
When asked what all of this means for her moving forward, Williams replied, “I will continue with my race for mayor.”
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