Public housing leader fails to prove completion of anti-discrimination courses

The embattled executive director of the agency providing public housing in Southern Nevada told Clark County commissioners that he has taken classes on the prevention of harassment and discrimination, but on Friday he refused to show proof of that to his oversight board.

A 2014 investigation of gender discrimination and mismanagement allegations found that John Hill, executive director of the Southern Nevada Regional Housing Authority, was "unknowingly engaging in subtle forms of gender discrimination."

Housing Authority Vice chairman Sanje Sedera said he was aware Hill recently met with a group of Clark County commissioners, and when asked if he had taken the classes recommended after the investigation, Hill indicated he had.

But the housing authority's Board of Commissioners hasn't seen any transcripts or certificates verifying Hill completed the classes, Sedera said.

"I have completed the classes and I have certificates," said Hill on Friday. He has been in discussion about the issue with his private attorney. "That will be forwarded (to commissioners) at the appropriate time."

The investigation recommended that Hill attend "an intensive course on the prevention of harassment and discrimination as well as a cultural sensitivity course." It also recommended that he take "intensive executive training and leadership class(es)."

The investigation was launched after allegations were made of unfair practices by women on his executive team. One of the woman interviewed for the investigation said Hill "does not respect women as professionals and sees them as beneath men." Another woman indicated that Hill gave men more latitude and was more harsh with women if they didn't get things done.

Hill declined to answer additional questions on the matter after the housing authority's Board of Commissioners meeting Friday. He was also in the spotlight during Friday's meeting about the April firings of two women on his executive team.

Contact Yesenia Amaro at yamaro@reviewjournal.com or 702-477-3843. Find her on Twitter: @YeseniaAmaro