Investigation raises questions over director's sudden reassignment

During a recent government meeting, concerns were raised regarding the reassignment of Cathy Morante, the director of the Office of Professional Accountability (OPA), to the Civil Rights department amidst an ongoing investigation. The discussion was initiated by a member who highlighted that Morante's name had been mentioned multiple times in a third-party investigation currently underway.

The member expressed apprehension about the timing of Morante's reassignment, questioning the implications of moving someone involved in an active investigation to a different department. This concern was particularly relevant given that the Mayor had recently requested the reopening of a civil rights case from the 1960s, which could further complicate matters.

In response, another member suggested that the reassignment could be seen as a standard procedure, indicating that it is common practice to separate individuals involved in investigations from their previous roles to ensure impartiality. The discussion concluded with acknowledgment from other members, including Member Brown and Member Holloway, who appeared to support this perspective.

The meeting underscored the complexities surrounding personnel changes during investigations and the importance of maintaining integrity in the process.