Denver City Council could hold a congressional style hearing on Mayor Michael Hancock's sexual harassment scandal - if they wanted to.
Denver City Council has subpoena power to investigate city departments. The Mayor, however, is not a city department.
On Tuesday morning, Denver City Council President Albus Brooks reiterated in a tweet what he said on Monday night - that since Detective Branch-Wise, who received sexually suggestive texts from the mayor six years ago, wants an investigation, they'd look into making that happen.
What exactly are the options city council has to investigate?
According to City Charter Section 13-31:
"…the city council, or a committee thereof duly authorized by it, has the power to investigate any department of the city and the official acts and conduct of any officer thereof, and to compel the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of books and documents."
Here is the city of Denver's Organizational Chart:
The Mayor is on the same level as city council and is not a department, so it does not appear the Mayor is bound by the subpoena powers of city council.
Another option is for the city to hire an outside investigator.
City Council is waiting to hear from the council's legal counsel for their recommendation.
The legal counsel, Kirsten Crawford, was selected by the council. However, she answers to city attorney Kristen Bronson, who was appointed to her job by Hancock, the person council is considering investigating.
