Connecticut’s top public defender, TaShun Bowden-Lewis, is facing potential firing after an oversight commission alleged misconduct. The commission accused Bowden-Lewis of hurling unfounded accusations of racism against those who disagreed with her and improperly accessing emails of staff and the commission chairman. Despite denying 16 misconduct allegations, including creating a fearful work environment and refusing to acknowledge the commission’s authority, Bowden-Lewis asserted her commitment to the position and the communities she serves. The hearing, which lasted for more than four hours, ended with a decision to defer possible discipline to allow Bowden-Lewis and her lawyer to call and question witnesses at a future hearing date.
The commission reprimanded Bowden-Lewis in October for inappropriate conduct and placed her on paid leave in February after the public defenders’ union expressed no confidence in her leadership. A 26-page notice issued by commission Chairman Richard Palmer outlined the allegations against Bowden-Lewis, which were based on an independent investigation. The report highlighted instances where Bowden-Lewis allegedly made baseless racial discrimination accusations and created a work environment of fear and retaliation for dissenting opinions. This led employees to fear raising issues about her leadership for fear of being labeled as racists.
Bowden-Lewis defended herself by stating that the report did not find discrimination or harassment on her part. The accusations of refusing to acknowledge the commission’s authority, disregarding directives, and improperly accessing emails were addressed by Bowden-Lewis, who claimed the public defender office’s policy allowed her to search emails without a valid reason. The commission disagreed, citing a specific incident where Bowden-Lewis ordered a subordinate to search the chairman’s emails without a clear justification, leading to concerns about confidentiality and privilege.
Amid the allegations, Bowden-Lewis’ supporters, including Marilyn J. Ward Ford, a law professor at Quinnipiac University, emphasized her hard work and honesty. They argued that any judgment errors she made were in good faith and not intentional. Ford highlighted Bowden-Lewis’ dedication as a public defender and advocated for giving her a second chance rather than removing her from the position. The public defenders’ office, which serves lower-income individuals who cannot afford legal representation in criminal cases, has over 400 employees, including lawyers, investigators, and social workers, further emphasizing the importance of the ongoing disciplinary proceedings.
Despite the contentious nature of the hearing and the allegations against her, Bowden-Lewis remained steadfast in her defense, expressing confidence in her abilities and denying any actions that could be detrimental to the agency. She emphasized her role as a decision-maker and the need to make tough decisions for the agency’s improvement. The hearing ended with a decision to allow Bowden-Lewis and her attorney to call and question witnesses, indicating that the process of determining a potential disciplinary outcome is ongoing. The outcome of these proceedings will have significant implications for the leadership and operations of the public defenders’ office and the communities it serves in Connecticut.
