ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, April 26, 1997 TAG: 9704280047
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: LESLIE TAYLOR THE ROANOKE TIMES
An investigation is pending over complaints made by three women who have accused Al Alexander of sexual harassment.
The director of the Roanoke Valley SPCA shelter - who is at the center of an investigation into discrimination complaints - has resigned.
Al Alexander submitted his resignation to the SPCA board of directors this week. The board did not ask for his resignation; in fact, the board gave him a dinner on Wednesday, Frank Van Balen, board president, said Friday.
Alexander could not be reached for comment.
Van Balen said the pending investigation might have played a part in Alexander's decision to resign.
"But I'm sure that wasn't the total cause of it," Van Balen said.
The state Council on Human Rights is investigating discrimination complaints made against the SPCA by one employee and two former employees. The complaints stem from claims the three women brought before the SPCA board in November. They accused Alexander of sexual harassment. Their allegations are being investigated by the council as discrimination complaints.
The women allege that the board failed to give them a proper complaint procedure and as a result, their complaints were not resolved to their satisfaction.
Alexander earlier denied the accusations. He took a short leave of absence in December while the board conducted an in-house investigation.
The board found no basis for the complaints, Van Balen said Friday.
A spokeswoman for the Council on Human Rights declined Friday to comment on what impact Alexander's resignation might have on their investigation.
The SPCA has appointed a temporary shelter director and is advertising for someone to fill the position permanently.
Alexander was appointed shelter director in 1993.
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