Michael J. Gallagher
Council Member
Cuyahoga County Council District 5
Committee Chair: Public Safety & Justice Affairs
Committee Vice Chair: Human Resources, Appointments & Equity
Committee Member: Finance & Budgeting
Committee Member: Community Development

February 4, 2019
The Honorable Armond Budish
Cuyahoga County Executive
2079 East 9th Street – 8th Floor
Cleveland, Ohio 44115
Dear Executive Budish:
As follow up to our discussion last week, I am writing today to request that you immediately place the Director
of Human Resources, Douglas Dykes, on leave and that all his access to any County computer systems and/or
programs be revoked. As you know Mr. Dykes has been charged with the following four crimes: (1) Theft in
Office – F3, (2) Tampering with Records – F3, (3) Obstructing Official Business - M2, (4) Falsification - M1.
While our judicial system provides all defendants a presumption of innocence, it is unfathomable that Mr. Dykes
remains on the job after being indicted on these four counts. These indictments, together with the related
findings for recovery in the County’s 2017 audit, clearly indicate that Mr. Dykes may have acted with reckless
disregard of the County’s laws and personnel policies and facilitated the illegal expenditure of public dollars.
Furthermore, as a senior member of your cabinet, Mr. Dykes cannot effectively execute his responsibilities as
Director of Human Resources while these charges remain pending. The Director of Human Resources is a role
that demands competency, credibility, integrity, and the trust of the county’s workforce, which includes all of
our collective bargaining units. The Director must exercise judgment in determining whether to discipline or
terminate county employees, including those who have been implicated in criminal activity. Mr. Dykes cannot
possibly, in my opinion, impartially perform these duties under the current circumstances. I am fully aware that,
under Mr. Dykes’ tenure, County employees have been put on immediate leave for merely being implicated in
criminal activity, with or without pay, as was appropriate. Mr. Dykes should be held to the same standard. One
only needs to look at Mr. Rourke and Ms. McNeeley for guidance.
While I appreciate the oddly timed position that Cleveland.com’s recent editorial took and your strong feeling
that it somehow vindicates Mr. Dykes’ actions, I would suggest we let the judicial system handle each case based
on the facts. We must respect and rely on the established criminal process to determine whether Mr. Dykes is
guilty or innocent of these alleged crimes, not opinion. To be consistent, and most importantly fair, to all
concerned, I see no other choice.
Please let me know if you want to discuss this matter further, but I believe it is clear that due to the indictments
Mr. Dykes should be immediately placed on leave.
Sincerely,

Michael J. Gallagher

2079 East 9th Street, 8th Floor • Cleveland, Ohio 44115 • (216) 698-2015 • FAX (216) 698-2040
Ohio Relay Service 711 • Email: mjgallagher@cuyahogacounty.us • Council Website: council.cuyahogacounty.us