CORRECTION: A correction was made to the quote from the OPD report filed by Diana Perez, as West Orlando News originally reviewed a handwritten report from the Orlando Police Department and incorrectly transcribed a small part of the quoted response during the breaking news.
In bombshell new allegations obtained by West Orlando News, another complaint involving ongoing retaliation and threats of workplace violence in Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer’s City Hall has been made by a City Clerk employee. One day after putting her concerns in writing, the employee was suspended by City Clerk Stephanie Herdocia, in what appears to be more blatant retaliation. The City Clerk is appointed by Mayor Buddy Dyer.
“I am writing to formally lodge a complaint against the City of Orlando’s management regarding illegal retaliation I have faced after reporting abuse. Despite bringing this serious issue to the attention of management, no action has been taken to address the misconduct, nor has any responsible manager intervened to resolve the matter,” City Clerk Aide Diana Perez wrote in an email to City Hall management, City Commissioners and Mayor Buddy Dyer on February 4th.
That email followed many attempts by the city employee to raise concerns to her own management and city representatives about workplace behavior, possible misconduct and the actions of a coworker, Tamyia Paul who is reportedly friends with City Clerk Herdocia. West Orlando News was able to obtain multiple email communications documenting the concerns on several occasions prior to the formal retaliation complaint which was sent to Mayor Dyer and City Commissioners. Several sources also confirmed conversations involving Deputy City Clerk Ken Walsh and Senior Assistant City Clerk Casey Billings took place in the office about the ongoing situation.
In fact, prior to the email lodging the formal complaint, a police report was also filed with OPD regarding the threats of workplace violence. In the most recent incident on January 31st, the details show a dysfunctional office with behaviors that are shockingly allowed by members of management. According to the Orlando Police Department report filed by Perez, this is the description provided after Paul allegedly laughed at and mocked Perez in the office in front of management (correction made to report quote):
Tamiya [sic] Paul stated a threat to my person in the office with Casey: “She better be happy & you guys better be happy that I laughed at her. I laugh not to punch people in the face! I mock her & I will continue to mock her…People sometimes get murdered, is this what you guys want? Is this what you’re looking for?”
I don’t feel safe in my office & I don’t feel safe around Tamiya [sic] Paul. I fear for my life!
City Clerk aide Diana Perez stated in the OPD report that an email about the threatening and unprofessional comments was immediately sent to Human Resources and management. According to sources, Casey Billings was the manager to whom Tamyia Paul yelled these threatening comments about Diana Perez in the office, preceding the formal complaint. Following the incident, Casey Billings allegedly attempted to downplay the threat against Diana Perez made by Tamyia Paul, and discounted her serious concerns – and he attempted to serve Perez a Notice of Disciplinary Action/Investigation on February 4th.
“I fear for my life!” the six-year Orlando employee pleaded. Instead of providing support and protecting her employee, City Clerk Stephanie Herdocia moved to suspend Perez with pay on February 5th pending an investigation, revoking her city access and preventing her from entering City Hall without an appointment with Labor Relations. Whether a threat like that is considered serious or not, it should never be made in a workplace, let alone a government workplace. According to sources, city policy states the aggressor should be removed from a hostile situation, but it appears in this situation the victim raising concerns was removed and punished pending an investigation. The city spokesperson was not available to confirm or deny policy was followed properly despite repeated attempts by West Orlando News to get a statement.
Shockingly, the apparent retaliation from the Orlando City Clerk, appointed by Mayor Dyer, only got worse after the employee raised concerns in writing, ultimately leading to the aide’s suspension. Sources stated that Casey Billings allegedly changed his story to fit the narrative now being pushed by the City Clerk and Labor Relations. Billings was not available for comment on the allegations before publication.
“Following my report, I have experienced retaliation from managers Stephanie Herdocia and Casey Billings, which I believe is in direct violation of my rights and workplace policies,” the formal complaint states. “While the management team provided a memorandum of disciplinary action and conducted an investigation in accordance with Article 22.2 of the SEIU Collective Bargaining Agreement, city management has failed to uphold City Harassment Policy 808.22. Additionally, their actions violate Florida Statute 448.102 and the EEOC Retaliatory Act, which protect employees from retaliation for reporting unlawful activities.
“Furthermore, during a meeting on February 4, 2025, with Casey Billings, Jenna Bauman, and Cheryl Anderson, the discussion was halted at 4:34 PM as it was being conducted as a disciplinary meeting without my union representative present, violating my rights under the collective bargaining agreement. Additionally, Stephanie Herdocia deliberately avoided speaking to me throughout the day and left the office one hour early. Kenneth Walsh was also absent from the office.”
One City Commissioner actually responded in writing to the complaint made on February 4th. “Thank you for reaching out!” Orlando City Interim Commissioner Shan Rose emailed. “I am so sorry you are going through this situation, my experience with you has always been so pleasant. I am copying Labor Relations to conduct an investigation and provide me the outcome. I want to ensure you are not being mistreated in any way.”
Rohan Creighton, employee relations representative, oddly stated there was no disciplinary action being taken against Diana Perez in an email dated February 5th. However, just hours later, City Clerk Stephanie Herdocia suspended the aide with no reasoning provided in the memorandum.
Interim Commissioner Shan Rose, who campaigned on being a champion for the people and for city workers, responded to West Orlando News questions about the employee being suspended one day after the Commissioner emailed her ensuring she would not be mistreated. “Ensuring our city employees are treated fair and equitable, after receiving the email from the employee, I requested Labor Relations to investigate,” Commissioner Rose told WON. “I am awaiting the completion of their investigation, including the suspension.”
There are also allegations that City Clerk Stephanie Herdocia deliberately violated ADA guidelines and continued to harass and pressure employees to quit, in addition to the latest retaliation allegations sent to the Orlando Mayor. Perez is one city employee who does have ADA accommodations and FMLA protections. There are also allegations of unfair pay within the City Clerk’s staff that West Orlando News is currently investigating. Sources within City Hall told West Orlando News that the City Clerk openly told others she was determined to push this employee out.
City Clerk Stephanie Herdocia declined comment to West Orlando News. Deputy City Clerk Ken Walsh was not available for hours when West Orlando News was seeking comment at the Clerk’s office. Tamyia Paul also was not available when West Orlando News reached out for comment. Both city spokespersons were also not available and declined to respond to multiple requests for comment.
UPDATE: After publication of the original article, Tamyia Paul responded through legal representation stating she and the City Clerk do not have a personal relationship, despite what another employee alleged. She also called the OPD report “an unfounded informational report with no action taken by law enforcement.” She also denies any characterization that she is the aggressor as alleged by Diana Perez, and in fact said “she was the victim of repeated hostile and unprofessional behavior by Ms. Perez.” West Orlando News has made several public records requests looking into all the new allegations.
“This retaliatory behavior has created a hostile work environment, discouraging accountability and enabling further misconduct,” the complaint added, saying there was a witness to who can corroborate the claims. “I request an immediate investigation into this matter and appropriate corrective action to ensure compliance with all applicable policies and laws.”
There have been many allegations and complaints of a hostile environment and toxic workplace under City Clerk Stephanie Herdocia in Mayor Buddy Dyer’s administration. City of Orlando employees have raised serious concerns, including allegations of harassment and racism in Mayor Buddy Dyer’s office of the City Clerk. Several city employees have previously reached out to West Orlando News to detail complaints against City Clerk Stephanie Herdocia, former Deputy City Clerk Laurie Nossair (who is no longer with the City of Orlando), and Manager Danielle Abdul-Nabi that they said Mayor Buddy Dyer ignored and allowed to continue in City Hall.
Orlando city employees described blatant retaliation and inappropriate behavior from City Clerk Herdocia, along with some authoritarian or Chinese Communist Party tactics, including allegations that the City Clerk spied and recorded city employees without their consent, that she prevented certain staff from socializing with one another, and that she implemented extreme consequences for things like asking questions more than once.
Because of the turnover and lost talent, city staff complain that management is incompetent at best, and potentially violating Florida law.
How long will Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer allow retaliation and these kinds of complaints and allegations to continue in City Hall at the City Clerk‘s office? When asked if he supported City Clerk Stephanie Herdocia, if he was aware of the threats of violence or retaliation happening in his administration, or if he had any concerns, Mayor Dyer did not respond for comment.
This is a developing breaking news story. IF YOU ARE A CITY OF ORLANDO EMPLOYEE AND WANT TO SPEAK CONFIDENTIALLY ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE CONTACT WEST ORLANDO NEWS.
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