In a nine-page letter, Bellevue attorney Mark Busto recounts occasions that occurred at meetings from June or July 2002 to Sept. 15, when Green and Councilwoman Jeanette Hawkins yelled at each other in council chambers. A week later, the council voted to admonish and suspend Green from certain duties for "unacceptable behavior."

Busto found that Green violated the city's employee harassment policy.

"I lost my temper at Jeanette," Green said Tuesday. "It was stupid and inappropriate and, again, I apologize. On other occasions, I felt strongly about issues and a few times, I used bad language. The public and city staff have a right to expect all elected officials to act professionally."

"I'm sorry. I'm learning a lot about being a council member," he added. "I am committed to doing better."

The investigator's letter reached the City Council on Friday, but was not made public. It is expected to be the focus of Wednesday's executive session, in which the council is expected to discuss its next steps and consider making the letter public.

On Tuesday, Green released the investigator's letter as well as a written complaint from Hawkins that led the council to evaluate him.

"This report is about me. The public deserves to have all the information," Green said. "I disagree with many of the findings, but I agree at times I acted inappropriately."

Green declined to comment further, but said he will talk after today.

Council opinions

Councilman Curt Pavola released a written statement that said, in part, "I believe the city council carried out our duty to treat a workplace complaint by Jeannette Hawkins very seriously. ... Some citizens may wonder why all the secrecy about our investigation was necessary. I think the council lived up to the high workplace standards we set for our employees at the City of Olympia in protecting individual privacy while taking all personnel complaints seriously."

Council members Mark Foutch and Laura Ware declined to comment until after the council meets today. Other members could not be reached for comment.

The investigator's letter is the latest development in a case that began with the council's decision to admonish Green. He was suspended from committee meetings and multi-agency assignments until the investigation is complete.

Green continues to attend and vote at regular council meetings and study sessions.

During the Sept. 15 study session, which focused on the proposed downtown arts and conference center, Green and Hawkins disagreed on how a parking fund should be used. Green "suddenly approached Councilmember Jeanette Hawkins in an angry and threatening manner," according to the council resolution.

The resolution described it as the "latest and most serious in a series of incidents where Councilmember Green has expressed anger inappropriately to others."

Busto is being paid $250 an hour for the investigation.

City Attorney Bob Sterbank declined to release the complaint against Green and the investigator's letter. He cited exemptions in state public disclosure laws.

Hawkins filed a written complaint dated Sept. 22 that recounts the Sept. 15 incident and seeks council action.

"Mr. Green ran up to me behind my back as I was serving myself coffee," Hawkins' letter reads. "When I turned to return to my seat, I found his face no more than an inch away from mine, twisted and distorted with hatred, and his fists clenched at his sides as if he were to strike me."

Hawkins' letter suggests the council remove Green from his assignments, encourage Green to seek counseling and initiate an investigation.

"I encourage you to acknowledge in no uncertain terms that I will not become a victim of Mr. Green's behavior, in this instance or in the future, nor do I intend to let this Council circumvent its obligation to me, its employees and volunteers, its policies and goals, or its responsibility to help Matthew Green deal with his serious health problem."

The investigator's letter includes an account of the Sept. 15 meeting:

When the council took a break, Hawkins and Green continued to debate the use of a parking fund as part of the proposed arts and conference center.

As Hawkins walked away toward a coffee table, she asked Green, "Is this how you were taught to act at the Harvard School of Government?" the letter stated.

Green "headed quickly towards Ms. Hawkins, leaning forward somewhat with his fists clenched at his sides. He got to within twelve to eighteen inches of her, and according to Mr. Green, said, 'Don't you (profanity) dare insult my (profanity) education,' " the letter stated.

Hawkins could not be reached for comment Tuesday.

Pavola said he's glad the public now has the information it needs to examine the issues the council has been wrestling with.

"Now the council as a whole must work together to end inappropriate sniping and personal attacks, such as Jeannette's debasing comments that caused Matthew to lose his temper in a public meeting," he said.

Past conduct

In previous incidents in which Green became angry, employees or citizens said Green at times became "red-faced," spoke loudly, showed visible anger and used profanity, according to the investigator's letter.

The incidents are, according to the letter:

- Late June or early July 2002: Green used profanity in expressing frustration about the Bowman Avenue sidewalk project.

- Council committee meeting June 3, 2002: Witnesses said Green slammed a briefcase on a table when an official reported an advisory board member's comments of having council members "in his pocket" because he contributed to their campaigns. Green said he does not remember slamming a briefcase.

- Housing Task Force meeting June 16, 2003: Green used profanity in expressing frustration about a vote on grant funding.

- Community meeting Sept. 8, 2003: Green pointed his finger close to the face of a conference center supporter and used profanity.

- Council meeting, Sept. 9, 2003: Witnesses said Green spoke angrily to a conference center supporter. Green said he does not recall raising his voice.

The investigator states the "direct recipients of Mr. Green's conduct were all women, which makes it likely that gender was a motivating factor. Moreover, all but one of the direct recipients were supporters of the Arts and Conference Center, so it appears that political ideology was also a factor that motivated Mr. Green's conduct."

Green apologized to employees and citizens after some of the incidents, the letter stated.

Katherine Tam covers the city of Olympia for The Olympian. She can be reached at 360-704-6869 or at kathetam@olympia.gannett.com.

"... The direct recipients of Mr. Green's conduct were all women, which makes it likely that gender was a motivating factor. Moreover, all but one of the direct recipients were supporters of the Arts and Conference Center, so it appears that political ideology was also a factor. ..."

-- Mark Busto, city-hired investigator, in his report

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