Nunley Benjamin Takes Job In Littleton

MEDFORD, MA — A department head who alleged a hostile work environment in the mayor's office has left Medford for a job in Littleton. Aleesha Nunley Benjamin, the city's former finance director, was appointed the director of finance and budget and town accountant by the Littleton Select Board July 1.

"I am beyond excited to welcome Aleesha Nunley Benjamin to #TeamLittleton as our Finance Director/Town Accountant," Littleton Town Administrator Anthony Ansaldi tweeted.

Nunley Benjamin named Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn and her chief of staff David Rodrigues in a cease and desist order sent on her behalf by former city solicitor Mark Rumley.

She alleged the mayor told her "a white male should present the budget to the City Council instead of [Ms. Nunley Benjamin], since they will listen to a white male" during a June 1 call with consultant CLA and six other city employees. She said she also faced "negative and inappropriate" comments from Rodrigues.

"I want to offer a sincere thank you to Aleesha for her hard work with the City of Medford over the past several years, especially her efforts over the last two fiscal years helping the city through a recession while keeping our financial outlook stable," Lungo-Koehn said in a statement. "I wish Aleesha well in her new position."

The mayor's office retained a third-party investigator to look into the claims but rejected the City Council's request for funding for a separate investigation, raising questions over whether the Council should have its own legal representation.

In her letter denying the request, Lungo-Koehn wrote that personnel matters fall outside the City Council's jurisdiction. In response, councilors cut funding from the budget for legal services in an effort to entice the mayor into paying for the investigation, the Medford Transcript reported.

The Council also passed a resolution demanding more information about the investigation.

Previously: Medford Mayor Rejects Council's Request For Investigation Funding

Council Requests $30K To Investigate Claims Against City Hall

Medford Finance Director Alleges Hostile Work Environment