Cleveland City Councilman Joe Jones allegedly threatened to kill a staff member earlier this year, according to a letter from city council leadership that was released.

Cleveland

Cleveland Councilman Joe Jones is set to face a censure vote after an independent investigation found he violated the city council's workplace violence policy. The investigation followed allegations that Jones threatened to kill a city employee, with the employee reporting that Jones said, 'I'll kill you, I'll kill you, I'll kill you on your motorcycle.'

This is not the first time Jones has been investigated for misconduct. Previous inquiries have examined multiple allegations of harassment, intimidation, and bullying. Jones has denied the allegations, stating he is shocked and traumatized, and maintains he would never hurt anyone. The council president described the situation as frustrating and traumatic for all involved.

Cleveland Councilman allegedly threatened to kill staff member

I'll blow you up on your motorcycle. A new report says Cleveland Councilman Joe Jones admitted he may have threatened a city employee last May. In a news conference today, City Council President Blaine Griffin outlined the results of an investigation against the Ward one councilman. This is the second time that Jones has been investigated. He was previously investigated for multiple allegations of misconduct, including his comments toward women. News five investigator Sarah Butterson was at the news conference and she joins us now. So Sarah, how will Jones be held accountable? Damon Council President Blaine Griffin says Council will do something that's only been done three times since the 1950s. The council will soon vote to censure Joe Jones at their September meeting. The email from a city employee to Cleveland Council leaders begins with these words. Joe Jones threatened to kill me. They say they'll always remember the Ward one councilman saying, I'll kill you, I'll kill you, I'll kill you on your motorcycle. Let me say this, this has been frustrating and traumatic for everybody. Council President Blaine Griffin took questions from reporters today after releasing this letter. It describes how an independent law firm concluded Jones violated the council's workplace violence policy after investigating the death threat and another incident. You know, City Hall is a tense environment and at times you have people where tempers flare. However, it is totally unacceptable, especially when you have one of your subordinates that you are accused of bullying or having any kind of workplace violence. The other incident happened the same day as the death threat. Look, you can see Jones sit next to a city employee during this council meeting in May. The employee says she felt intimidated, fearful and began to have a panic attack. The reason she previously complained about his behavior and he was ordered to have no contact with her. We've tried to make sure that we mitigated this situation a long time ago. But when Councilwoman Rebecca Moore took the podium, she said it's too little too late. These threats are beyond the pale. This reporting also underscores the disturbing pattern of council member Joe Jones inappropriate, unprofessional and even threatening behavior. You may remember Jones was stripped of his committee assignments earlier this year after another investigation into six incidents of harassment, intimidation and bullying behavior. So what does Joe Jones have to say about this? I spoke with him over the phone this morning. He told me he is quote shocked and traumatized by the allegations against him. He said he loves the person who accused him of trying to kill him and that he would never hurt anyone. Damon Katie

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