Bowser s highest-level adviser resigns after se ual harassment allegation Female staffer accuses John Falcicchio of longstanding abuse

By LOU CHIBBARO JR. | lchibbaro@washblade.com

Lawyers representing a D.C. government employee shook up the city’s political establishment on Monday when they announced that the employee filed a se ual harassment complaint against John Falcicchio, the now former D.C. Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development and Mayor Muriel Bowser’s longtime chief of staff.

he attorneys, Debra at and ayla orin, did not identify the city employee.

The announcement by Katz and Morin in a press release came shortly after Mayor Bowser issued her own announcement at a news conference on the same day. he mayor confirmed that alcicchio s sudden resignation last Friday, March 17, followed her decision to launch an investigation into allegations against alcicchio.

But Bowser said issues surrounding her longtime adviser’s departure amounted to “a sensitive matter that includes privacy concerns” that prevented her from disclosing why she initiated the investigation and why Falcicchio abruptly resigned.

She said the investigation was being conducted by the city s ffice of egal Counsel, which is following established policies and procedures” and that all relevant D.C. government staff members were fully cooperating with the investigation.

“I can also tell you that this investigation does not involve any allegations of improprieties related to business transactions,” Bowser told reporters attending the news conference, which was initially called to celebrate the completion of the city s th Street, .W. protected bike lane project and to discuss updates on the Capital Bikeshare program.

I have every confidence in my new chief of staff, Lindsey Parker, and in our new Interim Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development, Keith Anderson,” Bowser said at the news conference. nd I have immense confidence in the 37,000 employees of the D.C. government who will keep us moving forward,” she said.

arker has served as the city s chief technology officer since 2019 and as assistant city administrator since 2022. Anderson has served as director of the D.C. Department of General Services, which oversees the city’s buildings and properties.

We represent an employee of the District of Columbia who came forward to report serious allegations of se ual harassment by former Chief of Staff and Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development John Falcicchio,” the statement released by attorneys Katz and Morin says.

“It is our understanding that this behavior is longstanding, and our client is cooperating fully with the investigation, which Mayor Bowser initiated immediately,” the statement continues. “Our client is courageous. She came forward to ensure accountability and protect other women,” it says. “Given the gravity of our client’s allegations – which involve unwelcome advances and se ual contact we ask the media to respect her privacy,” the statement says.

It concludes by encouraging “everyone affected” to contact Maia Ellis, the Associate Director of the Mayor’s ffice of egal Counsel, who s leading the investigation, at aia.Ellis@dc.gov.

Katz is a founding partner and Morin is an associate of the D.C. law firm at Banks umin, which speciali es in se ual harassment law, whistleblower law, and employment law, according to a write-up on its website.