Mystery Solved: Parking Enforcer's Discipline Explained

By Brian Maass

DENVER (CBS4)- Denver's top parking enforcer was suspended with pay, then issued a written reprimand for the way he handled the job application process for a convicted sex offender. That new information comes from a disciplinary letter obtained by CBS4.

The Manager of Denver's Right of Way Enforcement, Dominic Vaiana, was mysteriously placed on paid investigatory leave May 23 with no explanation to his subordinates. City administrators moved quickly to ensure Vaiana had no email access or access to his city cellphone. After three weeks, Vaiana returned to his $95,000 per year job. Vaiana is the second highest ranking administrator in the Right of Way Enforcement Division.

Vaiana refused to discuss his paid suspension and his bosses also declined to discuss what prompted him to be sent home for three weeks, then brought back to work.

However, CBS4 has obtained a copy of the written reprimand issued to Vaiana June 13. It states in April 2016, an man applied for a job with Public Works and Vaiana was the hiring authority for the position. The candidate disclosed he is a registered sex offender. After he did, Vaiana cancelled the man's interview writing, "The committee was uncomfortable with your status as a registered S.O."

But the letter indicates Vaiana cancelled the interview unilaterally and never actually consulted with anyone else. In the letter of reprimand, the agency says terminating the interview process was "ultimately correct" as the candidate would likely have been disqualified, but that Vaiana failed to follow protocols for hiring managers.

The letter of reprimand from Tina Scardina, Director of Right of Way Enforcement, states Vaiana has no previous discipline in his eight years as a city employee but further misconduct could lead to termination.

CBS4 Investigator Brian Maass has been with the station more than 30 years uncovering waste, fraud and corruption. Follow him on Twitter @Briancbs4.