Report: Trumbull official accused of discrimination

WARREN — A 64-page investigative report released today into allegations by Trish Nuskievicz, director of the Trumbull County Planning Commission, says Nuskievicz alleged mistreatment by Commissioner Frank Fuda based on her gender and/or sexual orientation.

Nuskievicz has identified herself as a "married gay woman."

"Nuskievicz's primary claims of sex- or sexual-orientation discrimination against Commissioner Fuda related to him raising his voice when speaking to her, which she said he began doing since she became assistant director in 2008," the report says.

The report says a number of witnesses have described Fuda as speaking loudly to them, "especially when frustrated with their work performance," the report says. It says "his manner is not distinguishable from his interactions with those of every gender and sexual orientation," however.

The report goes into Nuskievicz' allegations that Fuda and/or County Engineer Randy Smith have made efforts to replace planning commission board members with new ones who would be "more antagonistic toward her" and more aligned with Smith's attitudes toward Nuskievicz.

But the report says as director, Nuskievicz "serves at the pleasure of" the planning commission board, and the board is appointed by the county commissioners. Such appointments can be defended as long as they are not made contrary to law, such as terminating someone for discriminatory reasons.

The planning commission voted unanimously this morning to release the report. The decision came at the end of an hourlong executive session.

For the complete story, read Wednesday's Vindicator and Vindy.com