Memphis Mayor A C Wharton Jr. confirmed Monday, Aug. 31, that allegations of sexual misconduct were made in a Seattle criminal complaint against city Housing and Community Development director Robert Lipscomb.

A 26-year-old man made the complaint, alleging the misconduct happened a decade ago.

Wharton also said the investigation includes allegations that Lipscomb made payments to the man; a city audit of Lipscomb’s division is underway.

Wharton referred to the investigation as “wide open” during the Monday morning press conference. He relieved Lipscomb of duty Sunday, Aug. 30, following the criminal complaint filed in Seattle.

In a written statement Sunday evening, Wharton called the allegations “extremely disturbing.” He and Memphis Police Department director Toney Armstrong talked Friday with Lipscomb’s accuser in the Seattle case.

From there, Armstrong and other police investigators traveled to Seattle this weekend to speak with the accuser in person.

Lipscomb is relieved of duty pending the results of an investigation Wharton has referred to the Shelby County District Attorney General’s office.

In the written statement, Wharton also said state and federal agencies could become involved in the probe.

Wharton’s personal involvement as well as Armstrong’s reflects Lipscomb’s central role in the administration.

Lipscomb has been heavily involved in every major project of Wharton’s five years in office as well as most of those of the previous 17-year administration of Memphis Mayor Willie Herenton.

Lipscomb has served twice as “chief financial officer” for the city as well as head of the Memphis Housing Authority.

The MHA director’s position was combined with director of the division of Housing and Community Development during Lipscomb’s tenure.

As the Memphis Housing Authority director, Lipscomb was sued in 2005 on a federal job discrimination claim ultimately dismissed by U.S. District Judge J. Daniel Breen.

Howard Terry claimed his position as safety and security director of the housing authority was undermined and he was retaliated against by Lipscomb.

Terry linked the conduct to alleged sexual advances made by Lipscomb toward him in 2002.

Breen ruled that Terry “provided no basis from which the court can infer that the acts complained of constituted discrimination because of sex.” The claim of a hostile work environment was also dismissed.