Anchorage Officials Investigate Mayor Bronson’s Allegations of Illegal Activities

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ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – City officials in Anchorage say they are in shock after receiving a wrongful termination letter Wednesday from former city manager attorney Amy Demboskis, accusing Mayor Dave Bronson of several past instances of behavior unethical and illegal.

The claims it contained were startling, said Assembly President Suzanne LaFrance.

The letter, addressed to Bronson and copied to Anchorage Assembly and City Ombudsman Darrel Hess, was submitted by attorney Scott Kendall, who represents Demboski.

Bronson abruptly fired Demboski last December. Demboski says it’s because she confronted him about his illegal activities.

The concerns I raised directly with the mayor, I believe that’s why I was fired, Demboski said in a December interview. I think it was retaliation.

Demboski detailed several allegations in the letter, including how Bronson pressured signing sole-source contracts valued at more than $30,000. Such contacts normally require the approval of the Assembly. Demboski provided LaFrance with five such contracts.

These are contracts that by code required assembly approval, LaFrance said. They were issued without the approval of the assembly in violation of the code, and the code is law, so they were issued in violation of the law.

Alaskas News Source received copies of these contracts which indicate that they were all for vehicle purchases with Continental Motor Company located at 5115 Old Seward Highway.

The value of the contracts totaled more than $190,000 and each was approved on the same day, August 24, 2021.

Instead of being approved by the assembly, they were authorized by the city’s purchasing director, Rachelle Alger.

The community is entitled to an explanation from the mayor, LaFrance said.

It was not a single source, so it did not require Assembly approval or notification, Alger said in an email Thursday. This was an open market proceeding for which legal advice was sought prior to execution. This procurement was made in accordance with the code and in accordance with legal advice. This matter to which you refer has been investigated by the Ombudsman, has been communicated to the Assembly and has been closed by the Ombudsman.

However, LaFrance says those contracts still needed to be approved.

Since they were over $30,000, assembly approval was required, LaFrance said in an email. The purchases were not reported to the meeting. If they were competitively bid, they were poorly executed because the required bids were not included in the memo.

Late Thursday afternoon, Alaskas News Source received documentation of numerous contracts dating back to November 7, 2022.

Contract information and financial information, procurement information must be absolutely public, LaFrance said. It has not been made public.

LaFrance says the assembly has limited authority and cannot force the mayor to do anything. She now plans to seek outside advice on how to handle the situation.

Were in unprecedented territory here, LaFrance said. I want to hear from the mayor, I’m very worried.

A Bronson spokesperson said they would look into the matter. City Ombudsman Darrel Hess said the contracts may have been issued incorrectly due to an error made by a new employee.

LaFrance says the city must remain focused on maintaining day-to-day operations while restoring public confidence. She says the assembly considered several options such as hiring an outside firm to review city contracts, as well as conducting its own independent audit, which LaFrance said the assembly plans to discuss. in the coming weeks.

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