BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN).....A summer-long investigation into alleged sexual and personal harassment and retaliation charges filed against Buffalo School Board member Lewis "Muki" Hawkins has found "no substantial evidence" against the Central District representative.
Buffalo School Board President Dr. Kathy Evans-Brown made that brief statement following a four-hour long board meeting that included a 90-minute closed door executive session where attorneys from the Buffalo law firm Hodgson Russ discussed their findings with board members,
In her statement, Evans-Brown said: "Ms. (Luisa) Bostick (from Hodgson Russ).. also reviewed relevant documentary evidence based on the witnesses interviewed and documents reviewed, Ms. Bostick determined that there was no substantiated evidence of a violation of law or policy with regard to any allegations of sexual harassment or retaliation."
Hawkins was accused of harassing female employees in the school district's administrative offices.
A retracted version of the report will likely be released within the next 10 days, officials said.
"I'm happy it's over," Hawkins said. "Do I feel vindicated? Of course."
But, Hawkins has been named in two notice of claims filed last month that allege he sexually and personally harassed female school district employees and also threatened retaliation against them.
Asked by those two pending legal actions and Hawkins declined to comment.
"I'm not going to talk about those," Hawkins said.
John Elmore, the Buffalo attorney, who filed both notices of claim declined comment until he talked with his clients and other members of his legal team.
In the two notice of claim filings, there were graphic examples of alleged sexual advances reportedly made by Hawkins.
Hawkins, has continued to say he is innocent, and despite calls for him to resign - he remains on the board including attending Monday's meeting but not the executive session.
Evans-Brown declined further comment and while Park District school board member Erik Bohen said he could only go by the brief statement Evans-Brown read at the conclusion of the meeting.
The allegations prompted North District representative Cindi McEachon to resign in late June over transparency issues connected to Hawkins and the hiring of Hodgson Russ to handle probe.
Hawkins and former Superintendent Dr. Pascal Mubenga were named in a July 16 notice of claim filed against both men and it came three days after Mubenga abruptly resigned.
Report finds 'no substantial evidence' against Hawkins
Report finds 'no substantial evidence' against Hawkins
