The city of Anna Maria recently terminated city treasurer LeAnne Addy’s employment without cause.
But a history of complaints filed against Addy by her former coworkers might provide some insight into the decision.
In response to The Islander’s request for any workplace complaints/grievances about Addy, the city provided multiple documents spanning back to 2021 alleging that she created a hostile workplace and treated some coworkers in a discriminatory manner.
Addy was appointed as city clerk in 2016 and was later named city treasurer as well. She served as both city clerk and treasurer for years under former Mayor Dan Murphy, but Mayor Mark Short hired a new city clerk in March.
Addy continued to serve as city treasurer until her termination on Nov. 17.
The most recent complaint regarding Addy was filed in late September by city planner Ashley Austin and administrative assistant Barbara Jeffries.
It is largely based on their allegations of Addy’s behavior toward finance assistant Jeff Charles, a person of color.
Jeffries wrote, “I have witnessed firsthand the mistreatment and inappropriate conduct of a supervisor, LeAnne Addy, towards my coworker, Jeff Charles. This individual has been subjected to constant control, public reprimands and unfair treatment. I can personally relate to the detrimental effects of this behavior, as I myself faced similar challenges under the same supervisor during my tenure in this position.”
According to Jeffries, Addy “undermined” Charles by making him “feel as though he is continuously making mistakes,” as well as not providing “the necessary training or guidance to succeed.”
“This has created an unhealthy and unproductive work environment, which, unfortunately, mirrors the toxic situation I experienced under the same supervision,” she wrote. “The treatment Jeff is enduring is not only unprofessional, but it is also deeply harmful to employee morale and well-being.
“I sincerely believe that immediate action needs to be taken to ensure that all employees are treated with respect and given the resources and support they need to thrive,” Jeffries added.
Austin wrote in her complaint that Charles told her that “LeAnne frequently threatens him, telling him that he needs to perform better or his post-probationary raise is at risk, while at the same time withholding necessary training to support his development despite Jeff’s repeated attempts to receive additional training.”
“In other instances, where Jeff needed guidance or made a mistake, he did not receive constructive feedback or support to improve. Rather, he was ridiculed and belittled by LeAnne, at times made to feel as if he is criminal. Meanwhile, a white colleague in an unrelated, temporary and limited position openly receives the hands-on instruction and support that should be provided to Jeff, an employee of color,” Austin wrote.
She also complained that Addy subjected Charles to disproportionate levels of monitoring, such as documenting his work activity on an hourly basis — something Austin said had not been applied to any other employee.
“The hourly work documentation requirement coupled with a lack of training creates a sense that LeAnne is setting Jeff up for failure by intentionally seeking a way to prove that Jeff is not doing enough work for him to receive his post-probationary raise. Unequal monitoring furthermore creates a sense of inequity and distrust,” she wrote.
Additionally, Austin claimed that Addy instructed Charles that “he was not allowed to speak with other employees, including employees in administration.”
“The restriction on communication echoes treatment many other employees have experienced at the hands of LeAnne which has made it difficult to build connections, collaborate and feel part of a team,” she wrote.
Austin concluded, “Collectively, these actions have created a work environment that feels discouraging and isolating. The discrepancies in treatment — especially along racial lines — are troubling and disheartening.”
Austin and Jeffries’ complaints line up with past allegations of misconduct against Addy.
In 2024, multiple former employees, including Tyffanny Rios and Candela Lemos, told The Islander that they found themselves on the receiving end of alleged racially motivated mistreatment from Addy.
Rios, a dark-skinned Latina, and Lemos, a Hispanic woman, claimed Addy undermined them by setting them up to fail by withholding training, as well as redistributing duties to effectively sideline them in favor of white employees.
However, Addy’s alleged mistreatment was not limited to her nonwhite coworkers.
Legislative liaison Amy Moriarty, a white woman, filed two formal complaints against Addy in June 2023.
In her complaint, Moriarty alleged that Addy had displayed “harassing and bullying behavior … for more than a year.”
That behavior included “a number of emails in which she has called into question both my competency and ability to perform my job function.”