City Councilor Kenya Gibson has asked the city’s top public housing officials to launch a third-party investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct by maintenance staff with the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority.

The claims, which were reported by The Richmond Times-Dispatch Aug. 25, stem from complaints made by two different public housing residents in fall 2025 that maintenance workers were seeking sexual favors in exchange for fulfilling work orders. 

The Times-Dispatch reported that one of the workers was fired, while the other was transferred to a different worksite.

In a Sept. 1 letter to RRHA CEO Steven Nesmith and the authority’s board of commissioners, Gibson called the situation “appalling” and requested that the board both initiate a third-party investigation and assure the public that the complaints had been sent to law enforcement. 

“We have spoken to residents in Gilpin Court since this came to light who believe this type of sexual misconduct has persisted for some time and continues,” she wrote.

Gibson was particularly critical of how the housing authority handled the allegations, citing “delays in response by the authority; an apparent inability to enforce a zero-tolerance policy; and allegations of resident retaliation.” 

“It appears that RRHA felt that calling a team meeting to remind employees not to have inappropriate contact with residents was the appropriate response,” wrote Gibson. “From my perspective complaints about work delays or sloppy work might merit a verbal reminder in a team meeting. This goes well beyond that.” 

In a response to Gibson dated the same day, RRHA Board Chair Eddie Jackson said the board of commissioners and authority shared the councilor’s concerns about the allegations but called her criticisms “entirely untrue.” 

“The authority responded in a timely fashion to the allegations, did enforce its zero-tolerance policy regarding any and all allegations of resident retaliation,” he wrote. 

“Also, your perspective/opinion that ‘RRHA felt that calling a team meeting to remind employees not to have inappropriate contact with residents was the appropriate response’ – does not align with the facts, because RRHA conducted a thorough and impartial investigation, including interviews with the parties involved, to determine the appropriate course of action to be taken,” he continued. 

Jackson said the authority had consulted outside legal counsel on the allegations and “was advised that the agency followed the appropriate policy and procedures.” 

Gibson characterized the board chair’s response as “defensive” and said “it underscores the need for change.” 

She acknowledged that the City Council has only a limited role in the governance of RRHA, which is a political subdivision of the state rather than a city department, but noted that “I do have a say in who serves on the board of commissioners.” 

Richmond’s charter gives the council to appoint the authority’s board, which can be made up of five to nine members under state law. The RRHA board currently has eight members after the resignation of Commissioner Barrett Hardiman this July. 

Three other commissioners, including Jackson, have terms that have either ended or will end this year.  

“The chair of the commissioners is exactly the person I would hope and expect to make a public call for a comprehensive outside investigation,” Gibson told The Richmonder. “Mr. Jackson openly acknowledges hiring legal counsel which protects the authority. The question I’m asking is who is protecting the residents?” 

Angela Fountain, a spokesperson for RRHA, said that while the authority generally does not share specific details of investigations because they involve confidential employee and resident information, it consults outside legal counsel or other external individuals “when circumstances warrant additional expertise or independent review.” 

“In matters where alleged conduct may involve potential criminal activity, RRHA would evaluate whether referral to the appropriate law enforcement agency is warranted or required,” she said. “In this case, RRHA did refer the matter to outside legal counsel who has specific expertise in employee matters involving potential criminal activity.” 

Asked if RRHA had brought in any third-party investigator to look into misconduct cases in the past five years, Fountain said RRHA “has utilized a third-party investigator in the form of outside legal counsel.” 

Contact Reporter Sarah Vogelsong at svogelsong@richmonder.org