City of Wilmington fires public services director, recycling superintendent following investigation

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The City of Wilmington has terminated two high-ranking employees in its Public Works Department following an internal investigation into misconduct and management failures within the Recycling and Trash Services Division.

According to termination letters provided by the city, Public Services Director Dave Mayes was dismissed on January 26. Superintendent of Recycling and Trash Services Richard Porter was terminated on January 23.

The letters, signed by Human Resources Director Clayton Roberts, state that both terminations followed a pre-disciplinary conference held Jan. 23 and the completion of an internal investigation.

In Mayes’ termination notice, the city cited violations of employment rules and failures in management oversight, including not establishing effective internal controls, not addressing known timecard fraud, and failing to uphold the city’s substance abuse policy. The letter notes that the investigation substantiated widespread misconduct and systemic management failures within the Recycling and Trash Services Division.

Porter’s termination letter includes similar findings but also alleges additional misconduct. The city stated Porter demonstrated unsatisfactory performance as a division leader and knowingly allowed a supervisor with a known bias to participate in the Recycling and Trash Manager selection process.

The city also alleged Porter failed to address substance-abuse-related behavior and performance concerns and tampered with an internal investigation by unplugging a camera installed at the direction of the City Manager’s Office.

Both letters emphasize that the investigation found allegations involving timecard fraud, task pay abuse, substance use while on duty, compromised drug-testing procedures, retaliation concerns, conflicts of interest and unprofessional conduct supported by witness statements and documentation.