BY TAMECA JOHNSON
Freelance Writer

The Chief Executive Officer of Hillsborough Area Regional Transit is on two weeks paid administration leave.  HART’s Board of Directors made the decision during a special Board meeting Monday morning.  At issue are allegations of wrongdoing by the agency’s CEO David Armijo.

The Labor and Employment Law Firm Ford and Harrison, LLP, is conducting the probe.  It’s a nationally recognized firm with locations across the country.

Attorney Dawn Siler-Nixon is overseeing the investigation and spoke on the firm’s behalf at the Board meeting.  She says the investigation involves allegations that Armijo improperly used government funds while running the agency and he was “perceived to retaliate” against employees who spoke out against his actions.

She was initially given three complaints, but says she’s received numerous others after the investigation got underway.  Siler-Nixon also confirms she’s received documentation that helps substantiate the claims, but told Board members the firm needed more time to investigate their authenticity.