The image above is a capture of the Notice of Discipline. You can read the full Notice here.

Elyria, Ohio – The investigation into the altercation between Elyria Mayor Frank Whitfield and City of Elyria employee Carl Spanos has concluded. The City has determined Spanos was dishonest in the disciplinary hearings following the incident, according to a Notice of Discipline written by Safety Service Director Matt Lundy.

As I previously reported, Spanos was accused of taking photos of Whitfield and his children at an August 8 event hosted by the City at Burr Oak Reservation. According to a pre-disciplinary letter written after the incident, Lundy alleged Spanos refused to stop taking photos despite Whitfield’s repeated requests to do so. That letter stated stated Spanos’s behavior was evidence of “harassing and intimidating conduct towards the Mayor and his children.”

Following an internal investigation into the incident, The Notice of Discipline makes no reference to harassment and intimidation. Instead, it focuses on Spanos’s statements and behavior in the disciplinary hearings which followed the altercation. The hearings were led by Lundy and Human Resources Director Jean Yusefi.

According to the Notice, Spanos made a range of dishonest claims including that he did not know who he was photographing, a statement which Lundy determines to be “simply not believable.” Lundy also writes that Spanos stated his poor eyesight caused him to mistakenly photograph the Mayor when he was trying to photograph a nearby sign. This, according to Lundy, was proven false by an examination with an optometrist.

The Notice acknowledges that Spanos was not working for the City at the time. “Finally, it is also important to note that though your conduct on August 8, 2023, occurred while you were off-duty, you intentionally and knowingly approached the Mayor during a City event in an aggressive manner and you continued your conduct after the Mayor asked you to stop.”

Lundy has imposed a three-day suspension, without pay, according to the Notice. You can view the full Notice here.

Lundy’s original pre-disciplinary letter accused Spanos of harrassment and intimidation. That letter was written after Elyria Police Chief Bill Pelko briefly reviewed the incident and determined no criminal behavior occured at the August 8 incident. Following that review, Lundy requested Pelko call Spanos and have a conversation about the altercation.

It remains unclear why Lundy’s Notice makes no mention of the harassment and intimidation allegations. When reached for comment, Lundy stated, “This is a personnel matter, we do not discuss personnel matters.”

I reached out to AFSCME Local Union President Matt Beal, who represented Spanos in the disciplinary hearings. Beal stated that Spanos “has accepted the outcome but may be filing a grievance.”

This is a developing story. I will continue to provide updates as new information comes in.

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