MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Robert Lipscomb, usually busy running city affairs, was at home, off the job Monday.
“I don’t have any comment. The investigation will speak for itself,” said Lipscomb.
Lipscomb, who landed Memphis the Bass Pro Pyramid deal and who has been at the helm of Housing and Community Development, is entangled in a sexual misconduct accusation by a 26-year-old man in Seattle.
That man said he had a sexual relationship with Lipscomb when the man was 16.
“The administration first learned of the allegations last week when the complainer contacted my office,” Memphis Mayor A C Wharton said.
It was serious enough for Wharton to suspend Lipscomb on Sunday and go before cameras Monday morning explaining how the police director and investigators were sent to Seattle a week ago to investigate.
“These things are serious and when you get them, look I am a lawyer, you jump on them. I don’t care if it’s midnight,” said Wharton.
Lipscomb told WREG he did know the person involved.
“I do. Seattle, is that where they are now?” Lipscomb laughed.
We asked if the allegations surprised him.
“No, not really. It’s been going on for quite a while. The constant calling going on eight years now,” Lipscomb said.
He said he has had problems with this accuser for eight years, but wouldn’t elaborate.
This wasn’t the first incident.
WREG Investigators found a police report Lipscomb himself filed back in 2006 against a 34-year-old man whom Lipscomb said left threatening phone calls at his office and even showed up at his home.
Lipscomb told police the threats escalated and he was scared and feared for his safety.
Lipscomb told us ‘that’ case was not related to this latest accusation, which he said he is leaving to authorities.
“That’s all I can say is let the investigation speak for itself,” said Lipscomb.
On Your Side Investigators also found a workplace sexual discrimination lawsuit filed by an MHA employee against Lipscomb back in 2006.
In it, a man claimed Lipscomb made unwanted sexual advances towards him and then retaliated against him.
The court dismissed the case.
On Monday, MHA was slow to respond to Lipscomb’s status there, in light of this latest allegation, but Lipscomb told WREG he was stepping down from MHA until this investigation is over.
