Arizona Republic from Phoenix, Arizona • A9

We Design, You Shine Transform Your Home into a Visual Wonderland! Animated Lighting Year Round Lighting Bistro String Lighting Tree Wraps Call Today To Schedule Your Free Design Consultation! Highest Quality Energy Nightscaping Architectural Lighting Free Design Consultation Landscape Lighting Don't Be A Goof, Stay Off The Roof $100 OFF of Bistro projects $250 OFF of Landscape Lighting projects 480-631-3084 AZCENTRAL.COM WEEKEND, 10.09.21 Z10 9 Gilbert Mayor Brigette Peterson ercised poor but never vio- lated the ethics code when deal- ing with a dispute between a developer and residents, an investigation com- missioned by the town has concluded. Several residents in June ethics complaints against Peterson, alleging that she showed favor to a developer who donated to and helped run her may- oral campaign. The town hired Tucson-based attor- ney Frank Cassidy to investigate. He said in his Sept. 30 report that Peterson poor judgment in a few in- stances, but did not violate the Gilbert Code of The probe had expanded beyond the hotly contested apartment develop- ment to also include claims that the mayor: Created a work environ- by saying she had for the new logo and discriminating against an employee who worked in the responsible for it.

Put a Town Council agenda item up for a vote with no prior discussion. Did not let a resident speak about a consent agenda item at a Town Council meeting in August. Cassidy cited three instances of poor judgment by Peterson: Singling out one resident as Not directing town to follow up on a concerns about the developer. Bringing up an agenda item for adoption with no prior discussion. It was a proposal to create a schedule for Town Council meetings and change the time allowed for public comments from three minutes each to duration determined by the Peterson has been castigat- ed for her errors in judgment, and will face additional public Cassi- dy said in his report.

Residents were vocal in the months leading up to the release, at- tending one Town Council meeting Brigitte Peterson takes the oath as mayor. COURTESY OF TOWN OF GILBERT Report: Gilbert mayor did not violate ethics code Joshua Bowling Arizona Republic USA TODAY NETWORK See MAYOR, Page 10.