After Nine-Month Leave, Official Has New City Job

After a controversial nine-month paid leave, the former risk manager has returned to City Hall in a new job that will reduce her authority but not her salary.

Erin Hoppe, placed on leave last September while the city audited her department and reviewed complaints, returned to work this week as the city’s safety and claims manager.

As risk manager, Hoppe oversaw all workers’ compensation claims by employees. But last year, two workers alleged that their claims were mishandled, according to the city.

After the audit found the need for a more worker-friendly system, the City Council shuffled staff members and eliminated Hoppe’s job--although the audit never directly criticized her work.

In May, an attorney for Hoppe criticized the review and indicated concerns that the audit was designed to oust his client.

City Atty. Betsy Martyn said as part of the deal that provided for Hoppe’s return to City Hall, she agreed not to sue the city. Her salary is unchanged.