JOHN F. CAMPBELL, ESQ.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
110 State Street
Montpelier, VT 05633-6401
PHONE: (802) 828-2891 FAX: (802) 828-2881
STATE OF VERMONT
OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
DEPARTMENT OF STATE'S ATTORNEYS & SHERIFFS
May 1, 2023
VIA E-MAIL CORRESPONDENCE
State’s Attorney John Lavoie
Office of the Franklin County State’s Attorney
Re: Request for Resignation
Dear State’s Attorney Lavoie:
The findings in the investigation into your reported workplace misconduct, including harassment and discriminatory behaviors and comments, are deeply troubling and demonstrate a pattern of inappropriate and prohibited conduct completely inconsistent with your oath of office. As such, we are formally requesting that you resign from office.
Your behavior is indefensible and inconsistent with the expectations of a State’s Attorney, and demonstrates a gross departure from the ethical standards of an attorney and elected leader in the criminal justice system. You have engaged in discriminatory and harassing conduct towards staff and others relating to race, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, disability, and body composition.
Continued performance of your duties will undermine public trust in your office and your ability to prosecute on behalf of the citizens of Franklin County. You have grossly failed in your duty to create and maintain a safe, civil, non-discriminatory, and harassment free environment for your staff. You have created significant liability for the State of Vermont and this Department. We believe that your continued presence in the office will serve to threaten and undermine the ability of the staff to perform their duties. In order to ensure that employees experience the least amount of stress and disruption, we believe that your resignation is the best course of action.
The Department of State’s Attorneys and Sheriffs has an affirmative duty to protect and promote a safe and harassment free workplace for our employees. We respectfully request that you immediately resign from office and avoid a prolonged period of instability in your office and jurisdiction. Please inform us of your intentions no later than 12:00pm on May 2, 2023. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Erica Marthage, Esq.
Bennington County State’s Attorney
Douglas DiSabito, Esq.
Grand Isle County State’s Attorney
Tracy Kelly Shriver, Esq.
Windham County State’s Attorney
Ward Goodenough, Esq.
Windsor County State’s Attorney
John F. Campbell, Esq.
Executive Director
The original PDF copy of this letter can be found here Letter-from-Exec-Committee.pdf