Chad Dion Lassiter, the executive director of the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission (PHRC) since 2018, has resigned after Governor Josh Shapiro requested he step down on February 23, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported.
Lassiter plans to leave the civil rights enforcement office by June 30. A spokesperson for Shapiro declined to comment on what prompted the request, though she said that the governor’s Office of Administration is reviewing the agency’s recent purchases. Some spending has been temporarily suspended, The Inquirer said.
The Inquirer wrote that “the resignation request came after concerns were reported to Shapiro about PHRC’s attempt to spend $20,000 on two tables at a Philadelphia NAACP awards ceremony in February.” Lassiter told ABC27 that Shapiro’s office did not contact him to discuss matters after he provided them with evidence the claims were untrue.
PHRC chairman Joel Bolstein resigned last week after nearly 30 years with the agency. According to a press release dated April 14, Dr. Raquel Yiengst, Vice-Chair of the Commission and Chair of the Education Equity Committee, has resigned as well. Dr. Yiengst was appointed to the PHRC in 1978.
“While we are saddened to see Dr. Yiengst step away from the Commission, we celebrate the enormous impact of her career,” Lassiter said in the release. “Working alongside Dr. Yiengst these past eight years has been a privilege. She has been one of the strongest champions of our social justice vision and the initiatives we have pursued to advance equity across the Commonwealth. Her wisdom, courage, and steadfast belief in the work have inspired me personally and strengthened this Commission exponentially. She consistently reminded us that the pursuit of equity is ongoing work. Her contributions will continue to guide the PHRC well into the future.”
Six of 11 PHRC commissioner positions are now vacant, which leaves open “the possibility that the Commission may be unable to convene a quorum which requires a majority to be in attendance” and that the “situation could delay or halt the Commission’s ability” to do its job, the release said.
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Photos: Commonwealth Media Services