Council declines mayor’s motions to launch ethics investigations into two council members

Mayor Tarpley asked the Hampton City Council on June 9 to authorize investigations into alleged conflicts of interest involving two sitting council members and to seek reimbursement to the city. The measures would have directed staff and the city attorney to examine whether council members Pamela Duchaine and Kesha White Williams had improperly benefited from city contracts and to pursue civil remedies if wrongdoing were substantiated.

The mayor read two separate resolutions that listed a range of alleged misconduct — from failure to disclose financial interests and procurement irregularities to coercion and malfeasance — and directed the city manager to demand prompt repayment of specified sums if evidence supported the claims. The resolutions named two payments and asked for repayment within five business days while authorizing broader document and email preservation for an inquiry.

Council members and dozens of residents responded over more than an hour of public comment. Several business owners and residents urged the council to reject the probes. “This is absolutely the most ridiculous witch hunt I have ever in my life experienced,” a local florist who said she supplied arrangements for a city event told the council, adding that the city approached her and that the payments reflected completed work. Don Greer, a resident, urged caution and warned of legal exposure for false accusations.

Council members framed the issue around disclosure and procurement rules. Council Member White Williams said that, when services were procured under the city’s budgeted travel and event lines, vendor forms and invoices had been processed by staff. “On the vendor form, my husband disclosed Kesha White Williams,” she said, noting the form recorded the relationship. Council Member Duchaine said she had been asked on short notice to provide floral arrangements and that staff had instructed her how to submit the invoice.

After debate, a motion to deny the mayor’s resolution regarding Council Member Pamela Duchaine passed. The council then voted to deny the mayor’s separate resolution concerning Council Member Kesha White Williams. Several members abstained on one or both measures. No formal investigations were launched by today’s vote.

The council’s denial does not resolve the factual disputes raised in public. Council members and staff said they would continue relying on existing procurement rules and vendor checks; the finance office confirmed vendor registration and invoice records are retained and subject to public records requests. The city attorney and city manager were authorized in open session to preserve records related to the matters discussed tonight.

The most recent votes closed this chapter for the council, but speakers on both sides urged clearer policies on disclosures and procurement. Mayor Tarpley cited the council’s fiduciary duty to the public when she introduced the resolutions; opponents said the correct remedy would be better internal controls and stronger procurement oversight rather than ad‑hoc investigations.