Tom Alessio Jr., a senior leader in Polk County government and former coach at Des Moines' Lincoln High School, was removed from his position after a workplace investigation confirmed misconduct allegations.
The investigation comes amid a separate set of lawsuits targeting Scott Ourth, the director of Alessio's division, who is accused by two county employees of sexual harassment, including unwanted embraces, physical contact and inappropriate remarks.
Kelly Michael and Loretta Robuck‑Whitlow, both former staff members, filed complaints that detail a pattern of behavior by Ourth, alleging that he repeatedly initiated hugging, touched employees in ways that made them uncomfortable and made comments that crossed professional boundaries.
In response, Polk County has updated its sexual harassment, anti‑harassment and workplace violence policies, mandating that all employees complete annual online training on the new standards and requiring managers to finish a leadership development program by November.
A county in crisis
The turmoil is not isolated; three of the five county supervisors are slated to leave office before the end of the year, adding a layer of uncertainty to the administration as it navigates legal challenges and attempts to restore confidence among staff.
County officials have emphasized that the reforms are intended to prevent future misconduct and to reinforce a culture of accountability, while also acknowledging the broader leadership turnover that could reshape policy direction in the coming months.