Power Struggle in Sedona: Mayor's Actions Spark Controversy

A recent report has shed light on a power struggle in Sedona, Arizona, involving former Mayor Scott Jablow and the city's police chief, Stephanie Foley. The report, conducted by an external firm, found that Jablow created a hostile work environment and tried to undermine Foley's authority. The investigation, which was based on witness interviews and city documents, did not find that Jablow's actions were motivated by gender. However, it did find that Jablow repeatedly interfered with the day-to-day operations of the police department, challenging decisions and requesting information through staff and public records requests. Foley had previously filed a complaint detailing 40 alleged incidents of harassment since August 2023. The report substantiated her claim that Jablow was trying to undermine her authority and sow doubt about her competence. Other city leaders also reported that Jablow interfered with their work, but Foley's experience was more frequent and critical. The report noted that Foley had received high performance evaluations from three different supervisors over the last several years. The report also investigated Jablow's claim that the police chief was trying to obstruct his oversight as mayor, but found all allegations were either unsubstantiated or not applicable. The external investigator recommended that Sedona leadership make several changes to its city code and employee handbook. The suggestions include escalating the repercussions of a formal censure and providing more clarity to employees on how to handle requests from council members or the mayor. Jablow resigned as mayor of Sedona in September, following eight years as a Sedona City Council member and a career in law enforcement. Holli Ploog was unanimously named acting mayor of Sedona.