Cleveland Finance Manager: Demotion and Pay Cut Follow Policy Violations
Andre Reynolds will move from a $100,000 finance role to a $70,000 compliance position after an investigation cited tardiness and unauthorized use of city resources.
By Luka Evans ·
A Cleveland city finance manager will see his annual salary drop by $30,000 next month after an investigation found he violated multiple workplace policies. Andre Reynolds, who has worked for the city since 2010, will move from an administrative manager role in the Department of Finance to a contract compliance officer position in the Parks and Recreation Department. He is scheduled to begin the new job next Monday.
The city issued a seven-page letter detailing the findings, which include three instances between May and June where Reynolds viewed x-rated material during work hours. A city spokesperson stated that Reynolds claimed the websites loaded automatically when he accessed his personal Google account on a city computer. The city noted his long tenure and lack of prior discipline but determined the misconduct was egregious enough to warrant serious action.
The investigation also linked his tardiness to the online activity. A forensic report showed Reynolds accessed pornography on his phone in the morning before entering the employee parking garage late on 13 different days this year. His former boss wrote that the report provided a partial explanation for the pattern of tardiness. Personnel records show Reynolds previously managed employees' travel expenses.
Among the other violations, the city found that Reynolds used his city credit card to reserve a rental car for his sister's personal use. Although Reynolds did not pay for the car with the card, the city classified it as an unauthorized use of resources. The city discussed the matter with an outside law enforcement agency specializing in internet crimes, which determined there was no evidence of a crime.
Reynolds was initially terminated but retained under a last chance agreement. As part of this arrangement, he waived his right to appeal the demotion. A city spokesperson said the deal avoids the cost and uncertainty of prolonged litigation, noting that Reynolds had retained an attorney. The spokesperson described the resolution as a way to ensure accountability while safeguarding taxpayer resources.
The spokesperson added that the settlement imposes tangible punishment without excusing the seriousness of the misconduct. It establishes clear disciplinary outcomes for any future violations while limiting the city's financial exposure. The attorney listed as representing Reynolds in city records did not return a message seeking comment on the findings.
